Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - January 4, 2018

J a n u a r y 4 , 2 0 1 8 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 6 , N o . 1

Alpharetta seeks upgrades to Equestrian Center The City of Alpharetta is looking to improve the Wills Park Equestrian Center to heighten its potential as a major attraction for events and competitions. Story page 8.

Mayors offer hopes for the new year

►►page 4

City Council member announces for mayor

►►page 9

Major projects prepare to go on line

►►page 12

Area teams prepare for region games

Special

►►page 24

2 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Public Safety

Store burglarized with manager inside 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell: ex. 122 Forsyth Herald: ex. 143 Johns Creek Herald: ex. 121 Milton Herald: ex. 139 Northside Woman: ex. 102 Calendar: 122

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The manager of Sage Tavern reported Dec. 21 that someone had broken into the restaurant shortly after he arrived that morning.

The manager said he had just arrived at the business, had turned off the alarm, and was in the kitchen when he heard a strange sound from the dining room that he initially thought was the ice machine.

The manager soon realized that the noises sounded different than the ice

maker and went to investigate.

When he approached, the manager saw that the glass door to the enclosed patio was broken and he saw the silhouette of a person. The person yelled something unintelligible, but the manager said the voice sounded male.

The manager then ran to the parking lot and into his car to call 911.

While the manager was circling the restaurant, he saw the suspect, face obscured, leaving in a small black Lexus Sedan.

Police found a wheel lug wrench by the patio and parts of the sub ceiling by the office were missing, where police said they believe the suspect had climbed up to enter the office.

Two cash register drawers that had been in a file cabinet in the office had been cleared, with $550 cash missing.

The manager told police that an employee had recently been fired two months ago and that he would have known about the cash drawers in the file cabinet.

called police. She described the man as 5’9”, wearing a gray hoodie and cotton gloves.

Homeowner reports shots fired into house

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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.

Family robbed, threatened at gunpoint

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ROSWELL, Ga. — Police responded to an armed robbery call on Dec. 18 at Ashley Lane after a mother said that her family, including two children, had been threatened by a gun-wielding robber in their driveway.

The family had returned that evening from a restaurant. The husband and two children had gone inside the apartment. Shortly after the mother went inside, she heard a knock at the door.

The mother later told police that she thought the knock came from one of her daughters, so she opened the door.

When she opened the door, however, the mother was met with a man holding a gun.

The mother pleaded with the man to not harm her children, and he told her that he wanted money. She brought him $2,500 cash that the husband had set aside for a New Year’s event he was helping plan.

After the man left, the mother

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Woman loses $5K to internet ‘friend’ JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — An elderly woman told police Dec. 19 that she had been scammed out of $5,000 by a man who claimed to live in Dubai and needed money to leave.

The woman said that she began talking to the man in September over email, and the man explained that he lived in Dubai. After several emails and developing a friendship, the man requested $3,000 so he could buy gems.

She sent him the money.

In early December, the man once again asked for assistance. He said he needed money to leave Dubai.

The man sent her two moneygrams for $900 each, which she deposited.

One of them cleared.

A few days later, the woman sent three wire transfers of $900 each to three different addresses in Texas, Ohio and Maryland. Two were picked up, but the one from Ohio was not.

After the woman wired the money, she was notified that the man’s second moneygram was declined and listed as counterfeit.

It was then, she said, that she realized she had been scammed.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police responded Dec. 20 to a shots fired call in Compass Pointe Crossing shortly after midnight.

The family was fast asleep, when the father heard a loud noise and what sounded like boxes falling.

Police found a bullet on the floor next to the dining room window and at least three holes in the walls of the father’s office. One bullet was lodged in the ceiling.

When police asked the homeowners if they knew anyone who would be angry at them or had recently had any altercations with them, they said no.

The teenage son, however, said that recently he had gotten into a disagreement with someone.

The son said that a few days before, an unknown person had asked him for marijuana, but he said that he didn’t have any because he is on probation.

Woman scammed over hay bales JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman reported Dec. 20 that she had been scammed after she paid $2,700 for 300

See BLOTTER, Page 25

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 3

Blue Light and Its Harmful Effects on the Eyes

Your Vision.

Our Focus.

By Priyal Gadani, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Sunlight contains both ultraviolet (UV) and blue light. UV light is part of the non-visible light spectrum, and as most people are aware can cause damage to our eyes like it can damage the skin. UV exposure can contribute to the formation of cataracts, pinguecula, and pterygium. On the other hand, blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, and interestingly, can reach deeper into the eye. Therefore, it can cause retinal damage, Priyal Gadani, and contribute to the development of ageO.D., F.A.A.O. related macular degeneration (AMD). The amount of blue light exposure varies based on the time of day, location, and season. The average amount of blue light in sunlight during the day is about 25% to 30%, and even on a cloudy day, up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds.

Even though light can be damaging to the eyes, it is also essential for us. It helps us see better by improving contrast, helps us perceive colors, and it can also help with other body functions. Light actually helps regulate our sleep/wake cycles, which can contribute to helping to maintain and regulate memory, mood, and hormone balance.

In recent years, there has been a lot of research on the health effects of blue light. In 2008, the Paris Vision Institute researched which bands of light were most harmful to the eye. The blue-violet wavelengths were discovered to cause the most retinal cell death. Various sources in our daily life emit blue light include the sun, LED lighting, tablets, TVs, computer screens, and smart phones, so our exposure to blue light is undoubtedly increasing compared to generations past. The cumulative and constant exposure to blue light has the potential to damage retinal cells, which can in turn lead to AMD. But not all blue light is terrible. The blue-turquoise range is essential to our vision, helps our pupillary reflex, and regulates our Circadian sleep/ wake rhythm. Inadequate blue-turquoise light exposure means we may not sleep as well and may negatively affect other vital body functions.

So how can we block the harmful blue rays but still benefit from the good blue rays? What we do not need to do is stay indoors all the time!

There is now patented technology which selectively filters out harmful blue-violet and UV light, and allows the beneficial blue-turquoise light to pass through, while not distorting color perception. People who will most need this protection are people who have high exposure to LED lights, LED computer monitors, tablets, or smart phones, and those at risk for AMD (those with family history, smokers). Let’s face it… in this day and age, that’s most of us!

In conclusion, eye care providers are now recommending not only UV protection, but blue light protection to patients who have AMD or who have a family history of it, and to those who have significant occupational or recreational exposure to UV/blue light. Research is continuing on blue light and its harmful effects, but blue-blocking technology is now commercially available through companies such as Hoya, Nikon, Essilor, and more, and very easily accessible to patients at optical shops.

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4 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald

LOOKING AHEAD

Roswell – New leadership, new energy for 2018 Roswell is a city of living history, and in the year ahead we embrace this legacy with new beginnings and renewal as our watchword.

New leadership, new energy, new attitudes will usher LORI HENRY in the New Year.

Roswell mayor Fortunately for Roswell, a constant amid the change is our committed and dedicated citizens who share a vision for the city we all love.

A key to our economic vitality is responsible development. Projects like the boutique hotel showed us it is possible to engage the community while addressing economic opportunity. The selection of a finalist for the Southern Skillet property redevelopment will continue to spur the revitalization of one of Roswell’s most vital commercial corridors.

Thoughtful revitalization of our commercial properties is a citywide need, one that is particularly pressing along the Holcomb Bridge corridor. Proactive

Increased transparency and accountability are keys to an informed and respectful debate on the direction we are heading and what we want to be as a city. recruitment of quality businesses and innovative adaptive reuse will grow our economy and generate support of local businesses. Utilizing the talent of our community through the establishment of an economic development council is a natural step in continuing to strengthen our private-public partnerships.

The coming year will see continued progress addressing our residents’ foremost concern – traffic and congestion issues. The city is on schedule and has begun right-of-way acquisition for the Rucker Road improvement project and the Big Creek Parkway project.

Roswell has always been a leader in the environmental and sustainability arena. As we continue to be a

good steward of the river that defines our history and our borders, there is a growing regional recognition that Roswell’s tree canopy provides real economic benefits in addition to aesthetic enjoyment.

The recent purchase of Seven Branches shows both community and city commitment to preserving and respecting fragile landscapes with historical significance. Roswell has long been a leader in historical preservation, as witnessed again when the city purchased historic Mimosa Hall, saving it from the Georgia Trust’s 2016 Places in Peril list. It is the newest asset to our historic houses.

The heart of our city is its people, and creating a more open, inclusive

community is a major goal of the coming year. We plan to utilize technology to redefine “being there” as our goal is to video record and live steam committee and council meetings. Increased transparency and accountability are keys to an informed and respectful debate on the direction we are heading and what we want to be as a city.

The year ahead will be exciting, as our city grows while maintaining our unique character and charm. Our safe, family-friendly neighborhoods, our schools, our renowned Recreation and Parks Department (GRPA 2017 Agency of the Year Award winner) will continue to attract a diverse group of residents, businesses and visitors, while we as a city invest in an all-encompassing strategic economic development plan to meet Roswell’s need of economic growth and vitality.

— Lori Henry, Roswell mayor

Alpharetta – Building the best place to call home

David belle isle Alpharetta mayor

In my heart of hearts, I want Alpharetta to be unequivocally home for the families that live here. But, it won’t happen by accident.

I saw a video online recently. It involved a painter making seemingly random strokes on

a canvas.

As I watched, I wondered if it was some sort of modern art. It was not pretty, and there was no recognizable pattern; just broad and seemingly pointless strokes. To make things worse, it appeared he was being timed.

As the seconds ticked down to 0:00, I still couldn’t make anything of it. Then, he picked up the canvas and turned it upside down.

Suddenly, what looked like a mess of a ruined canvas became a very good portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr. The strokes had been precise and intentional all along.

In this moment, Alpharetta’s downtown looks a lot like that upside down canvas. There are silt fences, heavy equipment, scaffolding, cranes, and mud stretching from Westside Parkway to Milton Avenue. It’s hard to see the

Over the last six years, I have repeatedly shared a vision for the city that rests on the very core of what I believe could and should be for Alpharetta: To make Alpharetta Georgia’s hometown and the number one technology city of the Southeast. families or the couples walking their dog, or the mother meeting friends to explore Alpharetta, or the new trail system connecting us to all the things of Alpharetta.

Over the last six years, I have repeatedly shared a vision for the city that rests on the very core of what I believe could and should be for Alpharetta: To make Alpharetta Georgia’s hometown and the number one technology city of the Southeast.

The problem is that 30 years ago, Alpharetta had a population of just 3,000 residents.

Today, we have over 65,000 residents. This means nearly all of us, including me, grew up somewhere else.

But, jobs, opportunity, families, and good schools came. As a result, we have become an incredible city, but a city of

first generation residents.

To make connection even harder, we are surrounded by other cities on every border. How can we make this home?

How can we give rise to a generation of mothers and fathers who grew up in Alpharetta and deeply wish to raise their children in Alpharetta?

I believe that is exactly what must take place if we are to reach our potential as a people.

We connect and make a home by sharing an identity, common experiences, and a history. This is what is in the works. Downtown, the loop, Thompson Street, our churches, and even Avalon are the places we share and the places we do life together. The goal is to make Alpharetta so irresistible that even those who did not grow up here call it home. On this idea rests

every agenda I have ever championed as mayor. And, to my great joy, citizens, councilmen, staff, businesses and community leaders have striven to make that vision a reality.

One of my favorite moments this year was the Christmas Tree Lighting downtown, which was also a fun SEC Championship watch party. If you missed it, the weather was perfect.

Families strolled around Milton Avenue. Local groups performed on stage.

Food trucks surrounded chairs, which were set out in front of a large screen showing the game.

People sat in groups of eight and ten; neighbors, friends, church members. It was awesome. The great news is this: things like this happen in Alpharetta now all the time. I can’t wait till it’s all done and we can flip the canvas!

It has been my pleasure to serve you as mayor, thank you for the honor of my life.

– David Belle Isle, Alpharetta mayor

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 5

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OPINION

6 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Bring on 2018 Kathleen Sturgeon Editor kathleen@appenmediagroup.com

I love New Year’s Eve. I love watching the ball, or in Georgia, the peach, drop. I love everyone putting on their best glittery outfits.

I love the pop of the champagne bottle.

And I love the feeling that is only found on New Year’s Eve.

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That feeling is of hope and high expectations. The new year always brings a clean slate metaphorically, and with it seems to come happiness.

Everyone walks around saying, “new year, new me.” At first, I thought that sounded like a bad thing. Why do we wait until Dec. 31 every year to become a better person? But I realized we can take what we’ve learned the past year and apply it to become a “new me” and a “better me.” This year has been one to remember, good and bad. As a country we’ve gone through so much. I won’t sum it up because how can I even attempt to do that?

We’ve been shaken and beaten, had a nasty peek behind the curtain and are still recovering from many events that’ve taken place in 2017.

I don’t want to continue to dwell on the negativity we’ve experienced the past few months, but instead keep the hopeful frame of mind this time of year brings.

So I am ready to say goodbye to this year, just like I usually am most years.

For 365 days, 2017 has run its course and I’m sure many are ready to put it behind them. Personally, this year has had its ups and down both professionally and personally.

This is the year I was named the Emerging Journalist by the Georgia Press Association, and what an honor that is.

But what that means is the future can only be brighter with more opportunities. I’m prepared and excited for that.

In my personal life, I’m looking forward to the optimism and anticipation the holiday brings. I’m thinking 2018 will be a pretty great year because I will learn from experiences in 2017.

Like the saying goes, throw around kindness like confetti. I plan on doing just that this year and I’m hoping a few glittery flakes will stay long after the bottles are cleaned up and the sparklers have extinguished. I’m hoping we can take that feeling of joy and eagerness with us well past midnight and make 2018 a pretty great year to be alive.

The U.S. keeps on truckin’ By the time you finish reading this, three F-Series pickups will have been sold. In that same timeframe, two Chevy Silverados will roll off dealership lots with new owners JOE PARKER grinning behind Reporter joe@appenmediagroup.com the wheel. Even the Honda Ridgeline, which is essentially a van with a bed-liner and is about as attractive as a venereal disease, sold nearly 32,000 models in 2017 through November.

And I just can’t understand why.

The light-duty truck may be a foundation of American life, akin to putting cheese on everything and yelling “woo” when inebriated, but I don’t see the point in buying these bulky, inefficient and pricy tools that far too few really need.

I know dozens of people who, whether for work or pleasure, require a truck. They need to bring their toolboxes to the jobsite, need to hitch up a trailer for towing their boat, and some need to haul their horses. I don’t know because I don’t have any, but many do actually need a truck for such purposes.

Far more truck owners, meanwhile, have never transported anything bigger than organic, free trade coffee beans in their immaculate truck beds. They work at a telemarketing firm and their animals are Pomeranians, yet they still insist on purchasing a truck.

“But they’re convenient,” they say.

“What if I decide to move or need to take my new dishwasher home?”

I say pay someone to do it. You’ll save yourself in fuel bills, from the terror that ensues every time you try to park in something other than an airplane hangar, the feeling of steering a vehicle with the acuity of a buffalo and the suspension that provides a less

Not only are trucks generally terrible to drive, no longer are they a beacon for the blue-collar worker. comfortable ride than if the 2x4s that never reside in the back were used.

Not only are trucks generally terrible to drive, no longer are they a beacon for the blue-collar worker.

Once, light-duty trucks were vehicles you could use on the farm throughout the week and then use to take the family to church on Sunday, and because they were made of what was essentially pig iron, they were affordable.

But a new, bog standard F-150 will set you back $28,380. Opt for one of the dizzying arrays of trim levels, from XLT to Lariat to King Ranch to Platinum, and that price can jump into BMW 5-Series money. And sure, those trim levels may get you more seats, but the bed — the foundation of the truck’s purpose lest we forget — shrinks to a size that struggles to accommodate a toaster.

I still think the truck serves a very honorable purpose in the American way for those who truly need them.

That, and the fact that while American manufacturers struggle against the onslaught of Japanese, Korean, German and even Italian cars, the light-duty truck continues to be the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for over three decades.

But if you’re going to use your truck about as many times a year as an air-conditioner in Siberia, might I suggest you forgo the F-Series and opt for the other f-series — a Focus, Fiesta or Fusion.

The City of Alpharetta Requests Your Attendance at the

LAST PUBLIC WORKSHOP for the

WHEN Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 6:30 PM WHERE Council Chambers, City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta GA 30009 WHY To present draft concepts for input to update and clarify the community’s vision for the North Point Activity Center, identify strategy and policy enhancements to maintain and enhance the district & prioritize public investments particularly related to maintaining mobility and enhancing walkability in the area.

NORTH POINT LIVABLE CENTERS INITIATIVE UPDATE Additional materials can be found at www.alpharetta.ga.us/lci

Kimley-Horn & Associates and City Staff will be in Attendance

OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 7

Farewell to the most exciting job I ever had After 25 years covering a beat that Google tells me is 140 square miles, I can only say it has been the ride of my life.

Now Appen Media and I are parting ways on what has HATCHER HURD been an incredible Executive Editor hatcher@appenmediagroup.com journey. When I joined Appen Media Group there was just the one little biweekly newspaper delivered to Roswell and Alpharetta. Roswell was the center of North Fulton’s universe with a population of 45,000, and Alpharetta was the “little brother” of about 15,000 souls.

But the winds of change were already stirring. Little did I know what was coming down the pike but I had the distinct privilege of covering it all.

Ray and Christina Appen were determined to bring the best news coverage to North Fulton possible. That suited me right down to the ground.

That meant going to a lot of city council meetings and planning commission meetings because there were so many projects changing the face of North Fulton. Looking back, the land-

scape has changed in so many ways.

There was a lot of news to cover in those days, and I think we did a good job on the whole. We had to cast a wide net. Covering the Fulton County Commission was always challenging. There was always a clash of personalities on the Fulton Commission.

From Michael Lomax to John Eaves the Fulton chairmanship has been stable, but the one exception, Mitch Skandalakis, was a rollercoaster ride.

He was bellicose, argumentative and didn’t hesitate to pick a fight.

It has been an amazing era, and I use that word advisedly. The growth has been phenomenal. In 1993, Windward Parkway consisted of some upscale subdivisions, the Golf Club of Georgia and trees. The same could be said for the newly minted Northpoint Parkway.

Westside Parkway was just a line on Alpharetta’s Future Land Use map.

There were only three high schools.

It all seems like the blink of an eye now. Now, there is a thriving business district – mostly in Alpharetta – with the promise of more to come now that Westside Parkway is open for business.

But the memories I will cherish most are those of the people that I have met along the way. So many of them

But I think most of you know who you are, and you have earned my heartfelt gratitude for all the help along the way. generously shared their stories about who they are and the things they have done. It was all grist to feed The Beast – that deadline every week. I won’t try to mention the many who stood out. Many were contributors who merely pointed me in the right direction. Space does not permit, nor does my memory which does not have a “total recall” button.

But I think most of you know who you are, and you have earned my heartfelt gratitude for all the help along the way.

When people would ask how I seemed to know so much about what was going on, I would always truthfully reply, “All I know is what people tell me.”

And what stories I have had to tell because of it. It is sufficient to say that North Fulton has been an amalgam of

imagination, persistence and a willingness to buck the system. In short, the people here not only believe in the American spirit, they live it.

I won’t say your vision has always been 20-20, but I generally have had the advantage of hindsight.

I have seen transformations that only the pioneers of old could have seen. It has been that dramatic.

No city had incorporated in Georgia in a hundred years, yet two of the first three were in North Fulton.

It took energy and no small amount of leadership to accomplish all that has happened here in this last quarter of a century. I thank Ray and Christina Appen for giving me the best seat in the house to see it all play out and the opportunity to write it.

When I started out in this business I wielded a proportion wheel and a pica stick to format a newspaper. Now it all happens electronically on the computer screen. I hope the future generations do not lose their desire to get a newspaper. If folks don’t know it yet, they soon will. The real fake news comes in those anonymous posts.

The real news will always come with a byline and a reputation behind it – and in black and white.

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8 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Alpharetta seeks to expand partnerships to grow amenities City seeks local help to assist with upgrades at Equestrian Center

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — City leaders in Alpharetta are exploring ways to add to and improve amenities at the Wills Park Equestrian Center by partnering with local organizations.

At a recent City Council workshop, officials concentrated on the Equestrian Center, a facility that draws steady crowds to the city each weekend but hasn’t received a great deal of capital funding for improvements.

In Sept. 2017, the city commissioned Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., to update its master plan for recreation and parks. Part of that study centered on the horse park and its potential as a major attraction for events and competition.

Allison Stewart-Harris, senior planner with Jacobs Engineering Group, told council members that the facility is in dire need of improvements if the city expects to attract larger crowds and

improved competition.

In 2017, there were 50 horse shows, eight dog shows, a rodeo, concerts and a number of corporate rentals at the facility. Already in 2018, 50 weekends are booked for events.

“You’re doing pretty well with what you have,” she said. “From our discussions with folks from the Equestrian Center and from others it was that … if we don’t upgrade soon, folks are going to start going somewhere else.”

The updated recommendations for the Equestrian Center include: • Another show ring, schooling ring, and lunging ring • Relocation of the maintenance shed out of the Equestrian Center to a more centralized place in the park to better serve the rest of Wills Park • Phased replacement of the horse barns over a five-year period • Better and more spectator-friendly areas • Design features that provide a unique sense of place and celebrate Alpharetta’s heritage • An economic impact study that quantifies the impact from out-oftown visitors/participants on the Alpharetta community

We‘re trying to make sure our scope of services grows with our population.

Those are the things that are going to help us grow.”

Jason Binder Councilman In a focus group with stakeholders, Stewart-Harris said footings was also cited as a key concern for improvements.

“I agree with you. I think it is time to reinvest and fix things up over there,” Councilman Chris Owens said.

He added that before the city commits to improvements, it should determine the correct scale of venue it wants to see.

Owens also said that it might be prudent to evaluate the expanse of the facility and concentrate on im-

proving its core amenities, possibly opening up more open space for the park.

Commenting after the workshop, Councilman Jason Binder said part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan calls for partnering with organizations and individuals to help expand and grow services.

“It’s similar to any of our baseball or softball associations who raise money for their needs,” Binder said.

Those private funds, he said, help enhance the city’s parks and provide upgrades to recreational facilities.

Binder said the city is considering formation of an equestrian advisory group to formulate proposals whose costs could be shared by the city and stakeholder groups. Such projects, he added, would still have to go through an official capital expenditure process, and they would have to benefit all parties involved.

“I’m really hoping that this is opening it up so a lot more people come forward with plans for our parks and theater or anything they can help us grow,” he said. “We‘re trying to make sure our scope of services grows with our population. Those are the things that are going to help us grow.”

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NEWS

City Council member announces for mayor

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta City Councilman Jim Gilvin has announced his candidacy in the 2018 mayor’s race.

A two-term council member, Gilvin is running to replace Mayor David Belle Isle, who Gilvin announced last April that he will run for Georgia Secretary of State.

When first elected to council in 2011, Gilvin ran on a theme of “Growth We Can Live With.” He has often found himself on the short end of council votes relating to mixed-use residential developments.

His votes have sometimes put him at odds with other council members.

Most recently, he has questioned whether the city will ever achieve a bal-

ance of owner-occupied vs. rental housing based on the explosion in growth over the past four years.

“I have a plan to restore balanced growth and preserve the qualities that make Alpharetta the best place in Georgia to raise a family and do business,” Gilvin said. “My plan reflects three priorities I always hear from constituents – do a better job of balancing growth, provide real solutions for traffic congestion and invest in areas outside of downtown.”

The date for a special election for Alpharetta mayor has not been set.

If Mayor Belle Isle follows his announced plans, he would have to file for secretary of state during the qualifying period from March 5-9. Once he files the papers, he would resign as mayor.

The special election to fill his post would then be held either on May 22, or it could be held as part of the 2018 general election on Nov. 6, when the turnout would traditionally be higher.

City Council plans first meeting Jan. 9

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council will hold its first official meeting of the new year at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 9 – a Tuesday – at City Hall.

Though no official agenda has been published, part of the meeting will include the formal swearing in ceremony of the newest member to the City Council, Ben Burnett.

Burnett, an alternate on the Planning Commission, defeated challenger Ben Easterling in November, garnering 60 percent of the vote for Council Post 2. The seat was formerly held by Mike Kennedy who did not seek reelection.

Burnett legally took the seat Jan. 2 in a small swearing in ceremony at City Hall in order to keep the council at full strength during the interim between New Year’s Day and the first City Council meeting.

The City Council is also in the middle of plans to develop a parking management plan for the Downtown District.

No votes have been taken, but council members have held several

Though no official agenda has been published, part of the meeting will include the formal swearing in ceremony of the newest member to the City Council, Ben Burnett. workshops to consider measures the city can take – such as time limits and meters – to ensure enough parking spaces downtown.

In other business this week, the Alpharetta Planning Commission is scheduled to hear a request at its Jan. 4 meeting from Brandon Hintz who is seeking a conditional use permit to allow a brewery within a 2,647 square foot building in the Downtown District.

The business is Currahee Brewing Company and would be located at 25 S. Main Street at a site currently occupied

by Hop Alley Brew Pub.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 9

COMMUNITY

10 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Roswell Reads announces 2018 book selection

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — A new year means a new book for Roswell Reads, a citywide program promoting literacy and learning by reading and discussing a common book. And this year, the program has selected “Burial for a King,”

by Rebecca Burns, a journalist and author who is currently the publisher for The Red & Black at the University of Georgia.

The nonfiction book chronicles the week after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination as the city of Atlanta prepared to host his funeral. Burns follows the “unlikely alliance” of former student radicals, the mayor, the police chief, black ministers, white churchgoers, Atlanta business leaders and King’s family members.

According to Burns, it was the largest funeral staged for a private U.S.

citizen, with close to 150,000 people attending.

Copies of the book will be available in the Roswell libraries in print, ebook and audio formats. They will also be on sale at the Friends of the Roswell Library bookstore.

Roswell Reads will host multiple events throughout the winter and early spring to discuss the book, meet the author and tour Martin Luther King landmarks in Atlanta. The Literary Luncheon with Burns will be held March 17, while two tours will be held March 7 and 10. Additionally, Burns will hold a writing workshop at City Hall on March 16.

Luncheon tickets are $20 each, and the deadline for reservations is March 10. Likewise, tour tickets for Atlanta’s civil rights monuments cost $20, and the registration deadline is Feb. 21. To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

In conjunction with “Burial for a King,” Roswell Reads has also selected a children’s book and family program for young readers. This year, they have chosen “Child of the Civil Rights Movement,” by Paula Young Shelton and Raul Colon.

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Roswell Reads Events • Noonday Nosh Book Discussion Tuesday, Feb. 20 at noon in the Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St. • Family Program: Stand Up for Friendship, Harmony & Respect Saturday, March 3, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St. • Tour of Martin Luther King Landmarks in Atlanta March 7 and 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road $20 fee, reserve tickets by Feb. 21 at eventbrite.com • Writing Workshop with Rebecca Burns Friday, March 16, 10 a.m.-noon at Roswell City Hall, room 220, 38 Hill St. Register at eventbrite.com • Literary Luncheon with Rebecca Burns Saturday, March 17 at 11 a.m. in the Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road $20 fee, reserve tickets by March 10 at eventbrite.com perspective to the Civil Rights Movement in this illustrated children’s book.

Roswell Reads will host a special family program for “Child of the Civil Rights Movement” on March 3 at the Roswell Library to teach children about standing up for what they believe in, along with friendship, harmony and respect. There is no charge to attend, but registration is requested.

Roswell Reads was first created in 2005 by Ann Siebert and was originally known as One City-One Read. It has since grown to include a full committee and is consistently recognized both

locally and nationally for its mission.

All book selections are chosen by the 15-member Roswell Reads Steering Committee for Southern connection, subjects that stimulate discussion across a broad range of people, availability and diversity. Previous selections include “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” by Kim Edwards; “My Name is Mary Sutter,” by Robin Oliveira; “The Underdogs,” by Melissa Fay Greene; and “Rocket Boys,” by Homer Hickam.

For information, schedules, resources and discussion questions, visit roswellreads.com.

Senior Services North Fulton gets helping hand in efforts ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The holiday season is a special time to make memories and gather with family and friends around the dining room table. For some North Fulton seniors, however, the holidays bring isolation and hunger.

Senior Services North Fulton is a nonprofit that supports and cares for adults age 60+ in the North Fulton community. Meals on Wheels is one of the many programs offered by the nonprofit, and the deliveries are expedited by nearly 300 volunteers.

In 2016 Senior Services North Fulton delivered over 32,000 Meals on Wheels in North Fulton. “I think people

are surprised by that number”, said Heather Terry, Community Relations Director for SSNF. “When you think of cities like Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, and Johns Creek, senior hunger and need don’t come to mind.”

Companies like Subaru of America, Inc. are helping in this effort. From Nov. 16, 2017 to Jan. 2, 2018, Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to national charities, including Meals on Wheels of America.

To volunteer or donate to Senior Services North Fulton, visit ssnorthfulton.org.

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 11

Georgia Clinic Welcomes Dr. Britt Boyd to the Johns Creek location.

A long time North Fulton resident Dr. Boyd is Board Certified in Family Medicine with experience in minor trauma and urgent care as well as primary care.

special

Community holds tree recycling events

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON/FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Now that the holidays are over, residents may be wondering what to do with their trees. Multiple places around the community are hosting “Bring One For the Chipper” events, including in Forsyth County.

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will be hosting six sites: Home Depot • 1000 Market Place Boulevard and 2635 Peachtree3 Parkway • Accepting trees through 4 p.m. Jan. 6 Vickery Creek Elementary School • 6280 Post Road • Accepting trees through Jan. 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tolbert Street Recycling Convenience Center • 351 Tolbert St., 770-781-2176 • Open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.5 p.m.

• Accepting trees through Jan. 27 Old Atlanta Recycling Convenience Center • 3678 Old Atlanta Rd., 770-2053010 • Open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.5 p.m.

• Accepting trees through Jan. 27 Coal Mountain Recycling Center • 3560 Settingdown Rd., 770-7812071 • Open Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.5 p.m.

• Accepting trees through Jan. 27

Wood chips made from the recycled trees will be available for county residents inside of Coal Mountain Park at 3560 Settingdown Road.

North Fulton cities will host their own events Jan. 6.

Alpharetta will sponsor its own “Bring One For the Chipper” event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 6 at the Home Depot, 5300 Windward Parkway.

Trees will be chipped into mulch by the Davey Tree Expert Company.

Mulch is then used for public beautification projects and is available free to Alpharetta residents.

To request mulch, fill out the request form at alpharetta.ga.us. Ferry Morse Seed Company has provided garden seed that will be available in exchange for the tree while supplies last.

Johns Creek will host its event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 6, and will accept cooking oil and florescent bulbs until noon. This will be at the Home Depot at 5950 State Bridge Road.

Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway, will be the location for another tree recycling from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 6. Flocked, or “snow” covered trees will not be accepted here.

The Home Depots in Roswell, 1580 Holcomb Bridge Road or 870 Woodstock Road will host events from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 6.

Residents dropping off trees can also get special gifts, while supplies last. The trees will be chipped into mulch, which will be available to businesses and residents at no charge.

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The addition of new dining and shopping allows us to continue to market Alpharetta as a great destination and to share the story of our award-winning community.

Janet Rodgers, Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau 12 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018

Big changes on tap for Alpharetta market Major developments to begin operations as new year dawns

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta’s business landscape is set for major changes in 2018.

Groundwork laid over the past 10 years will go online, with major openings throughout the city.

First up, the city’s $112 million conference center/hotel complex will host a grand opening at Avalon.

When it opens Jan. 16, the six -story, 330-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel will feature guestrooms, suites, a fitness center, several dining options and a pool.

The hotel will share operations with the Alpharetta Development Authority on an adjoining 60,000-square-foot conference center the city hopes will draw trade shows, conventions and special events.

A city-sponsored feasibility study determined that the hotel/conference center will bring in almost $23.5 million in visitor spending, generate 545 jobs with more than $15.7 in earnings.

It is projected to generate more than $51.3 million in total economic output annually.

Local funding for the conference center began in 2015 when the city approved an agreement with the Development Authority to issue $26 million in revenue bonds. Payments on the 25year bond come through the city’s hotel/motel tax, which the city increased from 6 percent to 8 percent in 2015.

Of the total occupancy tax, 18.75 percent of the hotel-motel tax collected goes to retire the conference center bond. The city retains 37.5 percent of the hotel-motel tax, and the remaining 43.75 percent goes to the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Alpharetta is changing as a destination,” said Janet Rodgers, President and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The addition of new dining and shopping allows us to continue to market Alpharetta as a great destination and to share the story of

Major projects set to open this year in Alpharetta: HOTELS:

Hotel at Avalon Opening January 16, 2018 330 guestrooms and suites 9000 Avalon Blvd.

Aloft Opening March 27, 2018 120 rooms 7955 North Point Parkway Courtyard by Marriott Opening September 2018 115 rooms 11700 Amber Park Drive

AVALON

PAT FOX/Herald

Work continues on the commercial phase of City Center, a five-acre retail, residential and office development in downtown Alpharetta.”

our award-winning community.”

With the opening of several new hotels, the renovation of current hotels and the ongoing addition of dining, shopping, attractions and events Alpharetta continues to attract visitors, Rodgers said.

Among some of the other major development projects scheduled this year, City Center is set to open in sections, as work progresses on the $85 million commercial phase of the downtown complex. The five-acre area currently under construction will include close to a dozen new restaurants, between 20-30 boutique shops and close to 200 apartment residences and homes.

The development will also be the new home to DataScan, a technology finance service company in Forsyth County, which will be the sole tenant at the new four-story office building now under construction.

Just across the street, Liberty Hall, a four-story building at 33 South Main, is set to open this spring. With an upscale restaurant and cigar shop on the first floor, office suites covering 12,000 square feet of space on the middle two floors and a private social club on the top floor, the building will be among the tallest in downtown.

Alpharetta Conference Center Opening January 2018 Operated in a partnership with the Hotel at Avalon and the Alpharetta Development Author ity, the conference center will provide 44,000 square feet of flexible meeting space connected to the 330-room Hotel at Avalon

NORTHWINDS

The Daily (Spring/Summer 2018) The Daily, a 14,000-square-foot dining development at 11556 Rainwater Drive, a location that previously housed The Varsity and is just northeast of North Point Mall.

Developers hope to combine “the best aspects of casual restaurants, beer gardens, food halls, and event space in one unique, communal experience.” The development also will include a 7,000-square-foot garden courtyard, which will host music, games, and other activities.

The Daily is expected to open to the public in May.

DOWNTOWN

City Center (Spring/Summer 2018) The roughly $85 million next phase of Alpharetta City Center will include 105,000 square feet of

Paving the way for future development downtown, the City Council is scheduled to unveil a parking management plan to accommodate anticipated growth in traffic. The plan, currently under consideration, includes options for time restrictions and metered parking. It will include a management plan

restaurants and retail, three acres of greenspace and gardens; 36,000 square feet of office, and 168 apartments. The 26-acre City Center project already includes City Hall, the Fulton County Library, a parking deck, a park and town green. Hedgewood Homes is also underway on 42 single-family homes.

Liberty Hall (Spring/Summer 2018) Liberty Hall, previously an abandoned gas station in the historic Alpharetta downtown district, will be a four-story commercial building with offices, shops, a restaurant and a rooftop social club. The building owned by the American History Guild will have Italianate architecture located at 33 South Main Street with handmade brick and custom-made wrought iron.

Restaurants at Teasley Place (Spring/Summer 2018) Coalition Food and Beverage Maple Street Biscuit Company The Alpha Loop A long-term project planned as an outdoor/pedestrian friendly path to connect people to activity centers, parks and jobs by a network of multi-use trails that provide safe alternatives to driving and offer a recreational benefit.

These multi-use paths connecting Avalon to Downtown Alpharetta currently involve two interconnected routes including a three-mile inner loop and a five-mile outer loop that will link locations like Downtown Alpharetta, Avalon and the Northwinds area located at Haynes Bridge Road and 400.

Completion of the project is still undetermined, however, some sections (such as the segment connecting Downtown and Avalon) are estimated to be finished in 2018.

Source: Staff and Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau

for street and city lot parking as well as for the new four-level parking deck to be built on Milton Avenue.

It will also establish a per-space fee for developers whose plans are deficient in on-site parking. The fee would ostensibly be used to help the city develop other sites for public parking.

BUSINESSPOSTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 13

2018 will unfold right before our eyes And away we go. Welcome to 2018 everybody.

Get as much done as you can because Thanksgiving will be here again before you know it.

I’m asked all the time to preGeoff smith dict the economic Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com future. My clients ask me because they want to know what mortgage interest rates are going to do. Friends ask me because I write these articles.

My answers to both are the same – I can’t say. If I could, I probably wouldn’t be writing this column from my private villa in Tuscany.

Our economy is way more fun to be that predictable. We are now securely entrenched in a global economy. And if you follow the news, you know that unexpected surprises can pop up at any time.

In January 2015, everyone thought we were finally free from the chains of the recession and that the year would be gangbusters for everyone. It wasn’t long before we were off the chain when we heard of a group called ISIS taking over parts of the Middle East. Then Israel got into a spat with Palestine.

Then OPEC opted not to cut back on oil production, driving the price of gas way down. In January of that year, no one predicted any of those things would happen, and all of them had a negative effect on our economy.

In 2016, we were supposed to be past all of that and again were looking to run free into a wildly successful new economy. Then we heard news that China’s growth rate had slowed – still growing at an astonishing rate of 6 percent or something, but it was slow for China. Combine that with the fact that Europe couldn’t seem to show any signs of growth at all, and a looming presidential election here, and investors were kept cautious.

Last year really seemed to at first be about everyone getting used to our new president. The stock market jumped at first as investors scrambled to fill their portfolios with stocks from companies they thought would grow under a Trump presidency. Then the health care bill failed to pass, and everyone put the breaks on. Since then we’ve kind of settled into a normal environment with investors and businesses looking back to the global economy right up until we got the Holiday tax law.

The law was just passed, and our partisan friends have all taken to the trenches. I’ve heard my Republican friends argue that because AT&T gave $1,000 bonuses to its employees, that means the law is successful. My Democrat ones then make the argument all about AT&T. It’s silly. The success or failure of this thing will play out over time. And it will be dependent on many more things than just the new law. If the economy tanks again, then Democrats will blame the tax law. If the economy succeeds, Republicans will credit the tax law.

The corporate rate cut from 35

percent to 21 percent is no joke. It will certainly make companies headquartered outside of our country at least think about moving here. That will be interesting to watch throughout this year and next.

The housing industry will also be fun to watch this year. We are stuck in a historic low inventory market for houses priced $400,000 and below.

But we have a glut in the $500,000 and above markets. If we could just convince our current owners of homes in the low-inventory market to sell and buy homes in the high-inventory market, things could get pumping. One theory I was told was that we need a 4 percent increase in wages for that to happen. Wage growth has been stuck in under 2 percent for the last several years, so it will be fun to see if this is finally the year.

Then there is Amazon’s HQ2. The company should decide this year where it will build its second headquarters, and Atlanta is a front-runner. They are talking about 50,000 high-paying jobs with this – it’s serious business.

Globally we’ll see how our relationship with Russia and China progress, or regress. We’ll kind of watch Brexit mature. We’ll look for Europe to keep growing, and we’ll always have any eye on the soap opera of North Korea.

Then there are the surprises no one is looking for. If everything moves favorably, expect to see mortgage rates start to jump and the stock market to continue going up.

Let’s keep our eyes open and do good work. Welcome to 2018!

Eliminating bad apples

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They are doing far more damage to your business than a poor performer. Being on the lookout for these types of employees is key. Often times their behavior goes unnoticed by management but is very visible by their colleagues.

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CALENDAR More info and tickets: get.org

JOYS OF THE SEASON

What: Local artists will display their works in seasonal themes. Some art will be on sale.

When: Through Jan. 16, times vary Where: Roswell Arts Center East, 9100 Fouts Road, Roswell More info: northfulton.com

RUMC JOB NETWORKING The Get ahead in the job market Monday, Jan. 5 with these free workshops at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. orientation and dinner. Each evening has a special keynote speaker or Mini Job Fair. Hosted most Mondays by the Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell. Complete agenda online at rumcjobnetworking. com.

HOLIDAY EVENTS: AVALON ON ICE

DIVORCE WORKSHOP

More info: roswellgov.com

ALPHARETTA

What: Mulch is then used for public beautification projects and is available free to Alpharetta citizens.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Home Depot, 5300 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

What: Ice skate at Avalon on their Rockefeller Center-sized ice skating rink in the plaza.

When: Nov. 19-Jan. 21, times vary Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta Cost: General admission starts at $18 More info: experienceavalon.com

MILTON

What: Flocked (snowed) trees are not accepted at this location.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway, Alpharetta More info: facebook.com/ events/163661490917785/

ROSWELL

What: Residents dropping off trees can also get special gifts, while supplies last. The trees will be chipped into mulch, which will be available to businesses and residents at no charge.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Home Depot, 1580 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell or Home Depot, 870 Woodstock Road, Roswell

What: If you are a woman considering divorce or in the early stages, this workshop will help educate you about the legal, emotional and financial aspects of the process.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: 695 Mansell Road, Suite 120, Roswell More info: secondsaturday.com

AGING WELL WORKSHOP

JOHNS CREEK

What: Recycle Christmas trees and fluorescent bulbs, as well as cooking fats, oils and grease. Mulch is free and available upon request.

When: Jan. 6; trees from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; cooking oil and fluorescent bulbs from 9 a.m.-noon Where: Home Depot, 5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ALPHARETTA

What: Learn about the latest public and private construction projects and developments. Director of Community Development Kathi Cook will be onsite to answer questions.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

Looking to get the word out about your event? Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton. com/Calendar.

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING:

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: TAMARA BOGGS

EVENTS: FRIENDS OF THE ALPHARETTA LIBRARY BOOK SALE

What: Support the library and its programs by shopping at the Friends’ book sale on the library porch and in the Friends Bookstore (upper level, lobby area).

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: fotal.org

MINDFULNESS IN EVERYDAY LIFE

What: This four-week class with Dr. Norma Harris will teach what means to be mindful of your body, mind, emotions and life. Ages 13 and up.

When: Sunday, Jan. 7, 9-10:30 a.m.

Where: Grey Owl Mind-Body Studio, 6250 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek Cost: Four weeks costs $100, while two weeks costs $55 More info: greyowlmb.com

What: The workshop will discuss topics like finances, assisted living, downsizing, moving, veteran’s benefits and more.

When: Thursday, Jan. 11, 3-5 p.m.

Where: Sanford Estates, 500 Walton Way, Roswell More info and registration: northfulton. com

FOR KIDS: COOKING AND CRAFTS

What: This program is a fun way to experience history through simple recipes and heritage crafts. This month’s theme is ice cream. Ages 6-11.

When: Thursday, Jan. 11, 4:30-6 p.m.

Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek More info: autreymill.org

What: Tamara Y. Boggs is a freelance visual artist residing in metro Atlanta whose mediums are acrylic and oil paint, graphite and charcoal.

When: Through Feb. 12, all day Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

LIBRARY EVENTS: MIDDAY AT MILTON BOOK CLUB

What: Join for the January book club selection, “A Gentleman in Moscow,” by Amor Towles. New members are always welcome.

When: Friday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m. –noon Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-613-4402

ART WITH RHEA

What: Learn how to draw using graphite and colored pencils. Space is limited. Ages 8-12.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 10-11:30 a.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info and registration: afpls.org or 404-613-6747

SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING

What: Secure document shredding will be available at the Ocee Library for proper on-site disposal of personal and confidential documents.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: “TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL”

What: Based on the life of Rosemary Clooney with a fresh and poignant picture of the woman whose unparalleled talent made her a Hollywood legend.

When: Jan. 11-28, times vary Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell Cost: Tickets start at $15

ORIGAMI CLASS

What: All ages and skill levels are welcome to try origami. Paper will be provided. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-613-6735

CALENDAR

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell 15 ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | January 4, 2018 | 13

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA:

Tracking down lost treasure!

YOGIC MEDITATION

What: Learn to meditate and experience inner peace with this free session. All adults are welcome.

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 3:45-5:45 p.m.

Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: afpls.org or 770-640-3075

BADGER AND FOX BOOK CLUB

What: Anyone ages 9-12 is invited to join in this monthly book club, with team trivia. Snacks are included.

When: Sunday, Jan. 7, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

FUNCTIONAL HEALTH: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE What: Learn how to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease as well as how to feel better naturally.

Presented by Dr. Daniela Sozanski.

Registration is suggested.

When: Monday, Jan. 8, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404-613-6735

PET ADOPTIONS: FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd.

NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

You know how it is this time of year – cleaning up, sorting out and looking for the year’s gas receipts.

All that effort usually turns up all sorts of neat things, and my STEVE HUDSON problem is that Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net I get sidetracked when I find something more interesting than a box of holiday hand towels.

So there I was, doing my best to bring order to chaos, when I found it: a long-forgotten magazine story I’d written years ago about lost Confederate gold.

Gold, eh? Lost treasure? Sure enough – and legend said it was not too far away either.

Had it ever been found? Not as far as I’d heard.

So what if I set out in search of it?

Might it still be there?

Hmm. I could use a little gold. After all, tax time is coming.

It sounded like an adventure in the making, so I reread the story. It goes like this: As the Civil War moved toward its end, the legends say, the Confederacy grew concerned lest its cache of gold fall into enemy hands. To secure the treasure, Confederate troops stashed parts of it in along the route that Jefferson Davis’ armies followed during their final retreat from advancing northern troops. That route passed through several states, and those who pursue such tales say that part of the gold could be hidden anywhere along the way.

In fact, some say that part of it might be stashed just down the road somewhere near the hallowed town of Athens.

Bulldog gold? I like that!

According to the legend, Davis and his troops stopped for the night at an inn on the Oconee River near Athens. But after dinner, Davis could not sleep. He fretted…he paced…he thought about that gold. He could not let it fall into Union hands. And so, says the story, he made up his mind to hide some of it that very night.

Darkness was thick as he awakened his most trusted men. Together, they lugged a chest to the river and buried it there in the mud. They tied an iron chain to a nearby tree to mark the spot. Then, satisfied, they returned to the inn – (At this point, if this story had a

SPECIAL

soundtrack, a low and sinister chord would begin to sound…)

– but back at the river, there was rustling in the brush as a shadowy figure rose into view. It’s said he was a farmer, a dirt-poor farmer named Smith left in the wake of the war. He had seen those soldiers burying something, and for long moments he cautiously surveyed the scene. Then, with agonizing slowness, he crept from his hiding place, touched the cold iron of the chain, moved to the river, scraped away the freshly-turned dirt and at last, saw the chest.

He pried it open – and found himself face to face with stacks of shining, gleaming gold. Mesmerized, he ran his hand slowly over the treasure – And then, with a snap, he came to his senses. Soldiers were nearby, and he knew he would have to act fast.

He stumbled home and returned with a mule-drawn wagon. He loaded the gold onto his rig. Then, he silently rode away.

Meanwhile, back at the inn, Jefferson Davis was at last asleep, secure in the knowledge that the gold was safe.

And somewhere nearby, exhausted from burying a heavy chest near his cabin, the one called Smith slept too.

That’s the story. Is it true?

In the years following the war, it is said, the man named Smith prospered.

Was he living on treasure? Maybe so.

But as well-known treasure hunter Ernie Andrews once told me years ago,

“I don’t reckon he could have spent it all.”

“Who knows?” Andres said. “Maybe Smith hid part of that gold in the walls of his house. Maybe he buried it somewhere in the yard. There’s no telling where it might be. But it sure wouldn’t take much to make it worthwhile finding out.”

Indeed it wouldn’t. And so the day before yesterday I decided (purely on the spur of the moment!) to go and look for the treasure myself.

Sometimes those spur-of-the-moment trips are the best trips of all, and this one was going to be short since I still had lots of chores to do.

But any adventure is better than no adventure at all.

Besides, maybe I’d get lucky.

So right after lunch I hopped in the car and made the drive to Athens. I found a place where the road crossed the Oconee River. I parked nearby and walked out on the bridge and looked at the river. Had a treasure been there once upon a time? If so, where was it now? And who was this Smith person anyway? Hard to say, since no one even knows his first name.

Locking the car, I scrambled down the right-of-way toward the river. Like I said, maybe I’d get lucky.

All I found was underbrush and mud.

Climbing back up to the car, I spotted a dull gleam in the dirt near the guardrail at the end of the bridge.

I reached to pick it up. It was a 1992 quarter, tarnished and worn.

It wasn’t much as treasures go, but it would have to do.

I thought about that quarter on the drive back to Alpharetta. Finding it was a period at the end of a sentence, an oddly satisfying way to wrap up 2017 and set the stage for more adventures in the year to come.

As for the gold, who knows? Maybe it’s still there.

If you find it, let me know.

Learn about great wintertime hiking along the Chattahoochee River in Steve Hudson’s book Hiking the Hooch. It’s available from local outfitters, from the park headquarters at Island Ford, and on Amazon. Signed copies are available direct from the author at chattahoocheemedia.com.

16 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018

Sponsored Section

Design tips & advice How to work with an interior designer

By Home Fashion Interiors Purchasing a new home or thinking of remodeling – you may not realize you can call on a designer for almost any decorating need.

Here at Home Fashion Interiors, whether your project requires a few hours of consultation to help with decision making, or a total interior makeover our Design team will work with your budget. Spend one hour selecting new paint, blinds for privacy or a consultation to plan furnishings for an entire project.

Be prepared to discuss your ideas and preferences for the project, create a budget range, and a totol cost ceiling.

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If it’s a complete make over you are looking for, the Design Services at Home Fashion Interiors, can create a dream come true for you. A professional designer from Home Fashion Interiors, will visit your home and help you select furniture, scale space plan, present a complete design project for your home.

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For more information, please visit CalAtlanticHomes.com.

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18 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Energy Saving Tips: Beat the cold and cut costs

By Bill Rawlings Vice President/Managing Broker, North Atlanta. Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty During the winter months, homeowners find comfort from the chilly weather by cranking up the heat.

While staying warm is a necessity, it’s vital to know, and apply, strategies for beating the cold while also Rawlings being conscience of saving energy … and money! Here are a few checklist items to keep in mind: Set your thermostat: HVAC systems account for almost half of the energy usage in a home – that’s a lot. As noted in the Realtor.com article “8 Energy Saving Tips to Cut Your Gas Bill,” a fuel bill can increase up to 3 percent for every degree raised on the thermostat setting. Be wary of how often you run your system, and try to maintain a consistent temperature that’s comfortable for you.

Note, programmable thermostats are also highly effective in conserving electricity because they can be used to

run air conditioning and heating systems only when they are truly needed!

Seal openings: By caulking and weather stripping the exterior cracks and openings around your home, you can reduce the amount of energy required to maintain a warmer temperature. Where should you start? Some of the best places to caulk and strip include windows and siding.

You can also prep on the inside of your home. Again, check your windows, but also refer to your door frames.

Small openings can cause big changes in the feel of your home – ultimately increasing energy use and the cost to

do so.

Reminder! If you are not using your chimney this winter, close the damper to reduce a draft.

Replace your windows: Speaking of windows, replace your older windows with double pained, coated windows to automatically reduce the amount of energy used year-round; this will also help trap both cool and warm air – whichever is desired at the time.

Another option: cover your windows with a film that reduces heat loss. This method is much more cost effective and ideal for keeping your home insulated.

Window treatments and fans: If your

home has a lot of windows, it can be difficult to keep it warm, even when the windows sealed. One of the best tips for additional insulation is to have window treatments. Curtains keep the cold air trapped between the treatment and window. Try installing your treatments on the south-facing side of your home to allow sunlight during the day and insulation in the evening.

Fans can also help save energy!

Just remember to turn off your fans once the house is warm to your liking.

Ceiling fans, should you have them installed, will help to reduce humidity.

Reverse the direction of the fan during the winter months to bring the warm air down from the elevated areas.

For more tips and additional information, or to discuss the Atlanta real estate market this winter, connect with us! Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty agents deliver results.

Allow one of our dedicated professionals to assist you by visiting atlantafinehomes.com or calling our office at 770.442.7300.

Article is adapted from: https:// www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/8-energy-saving-tips-beat-cold-cutcosts/

Alpharetta. $869,895 250 Eversedge Court 6BR/5BA FMLS: 5910967 Gina Campbell 770.866.1063

Big Canoe. $269,000 154 Bear Cub Ridge 3BR/2BA FMLS: 5913665 Diana Montague 404.630.3002 Phil Montague 770.670.1032

Hampton. $699,000 2429 Lake Erma Drive 6BR/5BA/2HBA FMLS: 5926365 Clay Henderson 770.652.1890

Milton. $699,900 210 Davis Glen Court 5BR/4BA FMLS: 5920934 Chandra Baker 678.234.3937

Milton. $749,000 405 The Hermitage Drive 6BR/5.5BA FMLS: 5921477 Allie Burks 678.772.8915

Reynolds Lake Oconee. $1,449,000 1290 Bennett Springs Drive 5BR/5BA/3HBA FMLS: 5884068 Trey Daniels 678.613.2705

Roswell. $489,000 285 Walnutwood Trail 4BR/3.5BA FMLS: 5938341 Harrah Brown 770.731.4300

Roswell. $499,900 1010 Riverside Road 3BR/2.5BA FMLS: 5939509 Kathy Rice 678.697.4984

Roswell. $975,000 995 Hembree Road 6BR/5.5BA FMLS: 5941626 Harrah Brown 770.731.4300

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ATLANTAFINEHOMES.COM | 770.442.7300 ©MMXVIII Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Easy curb appeal One of the easiest but often overlooked enhancement to a house to improve the curb appeal is to add or update your exterior shutters. Historically exterior shutters served a purpose by offering light control, ventilation and protection from the elements. Today exterior shutters are mostly decorative.

“Exterior shutters add the finishing touch to a house”, says Hennie DuPreez, CEO of Dupbel Millworks Inc. “But it is important that they are appropriately sized and look like they are supposed to be there.”

Whether you’re adding or replacing shutters to add curb appeal or as part of a remodel, consider these tips from Dupbel Millworks Inc., one of the leading shutter manufacturers in North Georgia.

Style: Make sure the style adds visual interest to the house, whether you choose traditional Raised panels, a Board and Batten style, Louvers or one of the more modern styles. Depending on the style you can make your house look more traditional, contemporary or modern. A reputable shutter provider will be able to help you choose the look you are trying to achieve.

Size: One of the biggest mistakes people make with shutters is the size.

It is important that the shutters are sized correctly for your windows, while taking into account the features of the house, obstacles that could be present, and the look you are trying to achieve.

Your shutters are going to be mostly decorative, but make sure they are sized as if they would be functional and as if they belong there.

Hardware: Traditionally shutters were attached to the window frames with hinges. Today hardware plays an important role in the appearance of your shutters. Various options are available depending on the style of the shutters and the type of windows. Adding hardware adds to the curb appeal and the authentic look. It also put the shutter at a slight angle, adding visual interest and creating better shadow lines that brings out the design features of the shutter style.

Material: Exterior shutters are available in various material and you need to find the right balance between price, how long they will last and the look you are trying to achieve. Vinyl shutters are typically the cheapest option for obvious reasons, wood looks great but do not necessary withstand the elements, and then you have various composite materials that could provide you with the authentic look and long lasting criteria.

Installation: Make sure you are confident working on a ladder, or make

!

IC AL ite PE ebs .

S ER w ls NT our etai I W ee r d S fo

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 19

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sure you use a professional crew with the necessary insurance. The installation cost is typically in addition to the price of the shutters and hardware.

Ensure there is a suitable mounting surface and that the window frames are in good shape before installation.

Dupbel Millworks Inc. manufactures exteriors shutters using only weather resistant materials. Our core business is shutters made from a composite wood material that is rot, insect and weather resistant. This is especially important in Georgia’s hot, humid conditions. Although we carry a series of shutters styles, we are fully equipped to help you design the specific look you desire, and every shutters is custom made based on your house, windows and design.

We use your house as our showroom, knowing very well how difficult it can be to see what a specific style of shutter will do the look of your home.

We come to your house with samples and will help you to choose the perfect style of shutter for your house.

Our business is located in Alpharetta, GA and we are proud to serve the residential and commercial market of North Georgia. We are small enough to provide you with personal attention, yet strong enough to handle complex designs and the volume from our commercial customers.

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20 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Homeowners want elegant electric upgrades (NAPSI)—Most American homeowners are likely accustomed to standard, builder-grade wall plates and lighting controls in their space.

However, according to a recent Harris Poll commissioned by the Collections by Legrand, 82 percent of homeowners believe there are more stylish lighting control options than what came installed in their home.

In fact, discerning homeowners have many ways to enhance and personalize lighting and power controls with a unique selection of wall plates, dimmers and switches, scene controllers, plug-in modules and outlets.

Key Findings Here are the top five ideas survey respondents had about home lighting and charging equipment.

1. Energy use and sustainability.

While 91 percent of homeowners say reducing energy use at home is important, about one in five Americans don’t know that installing lighting controls can meet that objective. The adorne Motion Sensor Switch, for instance, provides combination control, letting users manually or automatically turn lights on or off when entering or leaving a room through motion-sensing technology.

2. Smart home−inspired design

and technology are on the rise. A growing presence of tech-focused products, appliances and solutions simplify day-to-day living, and lighting is identified as a priority smart home feature.

The survey found that two-thirds of Americans say if they were creating a smart home, they would want to be able to control lighting via an app or online.

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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Why some homes don’t sell in a seller’s market Homeowners ask us about the recovery of remodeling dollars just about every day, comments John Hogan, President of Remodeling Expo Center in Roswell, and we explain the percentages to them. We basically, reiterate the numbers behind the popular clichés “Kitchens and Bathrooms sell houses”.

But what these numbers don’t reveal is the alternative to remodeling; doing nothing. Failing to remodel will cause your home to sell at a discount.

For example, according to the Remodeling 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, remodeling your kitchen for $30k will allow you to recover about $20k when you sell your home. However, if you don’t remodel, your home will likely sell for $35k less. So a quick analysis might result in a $30k - $20k = $10k cost, when the true reality is a $35k cost in the long run.

We’re in one of the strongest real estate markets in decades and I hear all too often from homeowners “the house down the block sold for $500k in 24 hours and I haven’t gotten a single offer in 4 months”, says Remodeling Expo’s Peter Schnieper. When I hear this, I’m usually standing on linoleum floors in a dark kitchen with olive appliances, formica counters and knotted pine cabinets with mis-aligned doors. I hate this situation because the homeowner needs to remodel in order to sell and they won’t get to enjoy it at all.

A sellers market can act as a magnifying glass; making remodeled homes sell faster for more money and making non-remodeled homes sell slower, if at all. This is why despite very favorable market conditions, some homes just won’t sell at all.

A home needs to be refreshed about every 5-7 years with painting or flooring, and updated every 10 to 15 years with a major remodel, such as a kitchen, bathroom or basement.

North Atlanta was built in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, and almost every home owner is suffering from the “builder grade blues” That’s the term all of the designers at Remodeling Expo Center use to describe the situation of north Atlanta homeowners. Their homes were built when North Atlanta homes were “affordable” so builders outfitted their homes with inexpensive kitchens and bathrooms. Now North Atlanta home values have tripled but unfortunately, while home values automatically change, kitchens and bathrooms don’t. Many Alpharetta and Johns Creek homeowners wake up each day to “affordable” builder grade kitchens

See EXPO, Page 22

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 21

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22 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

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As one of the nation’s largest, full service real estate companies, Crye-Leike has a network of more than 3,100 sales associates and over 125 offices located throughout a nine-state region. For forty years, Crye-Leike has delivered a passionate commitment to unsurpassed service in its communities. Crye-Leike’s commitment inspires our agents to exceed expectations by constantly improving their relationships with clients and

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Janice Chatham Cumming 770-876-0391

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Alpharetta - Crabapple/Roswell/Milton 282 Rucker Road, Suite 110 • Alpharetta, GA 30004 | Office: (678) 240-2201 Atlanta NE - Norcross 4870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. • Norcross, GA 30071 | Office: (770) 255-3380 Cartersville 477 East Main Street • Cartersville, GA 30121 | Office: (770) 607-2801 Cumming 5940 Bethelview Road • Cumming, GA 30040 | Office: (678) 845-1200 Douglasville 2092 Fairburn Road • Douglasville, GA 30135 | Office: (770) 947-2400 Gainesville 956 B Dawsonville Hwy, Suite 301 • Gainesville, GA 30501 | Office: (770) 535-8301 Johns Creek/Alpharetta/Duluth 9945 Jones Bridge Rd, Suite 201 • Johns Creek, GA 30022 | Office: (678) 867-2345 McDonough/Southern Crescent 2124 Jodeco Road • McDonough, GA 30253 | Office: (678) 583-9995 Smyrna 1322 Concord Rd SE • Smyrna, GA 30080 | Office: (770) 805-9652 Woodstock - Cobb Cherokee 13190 Highway 92, Suite 100-110 • Woodstock, GA 30188 | Office: (770) 517-2272 Commercial Division 5940 Bethelview Road • Cumming, GA 30040 | Office: (678) 845-1233

View ALL area homes at CRYE-LEIKE.com

and bathrooms. This is what we call the “builder grade blues.”

We relocated Remodeling Expo Center to Roswell because its central to most of North Atlanta. Although we use the term “builder grade blues” in jest, our business anything but that.

We’ve built a sophisticated operation to systematically update and improve the north Atlanta housing stock. Remodeling has traditionally been a mom and pop business but our operation is changing all of that. Homeowners walk into our Expo Center and can

responding quickly to their customer needs while conducting business with integrity and trust. Today Crye-Leike is the 5th largest real estate company in the nation and boasts a record year in 2016 with sales exceeding $6.3 billion.

Crye-Leike Realtors continues to grow in the Atlanta market and is actively seeking new agents and brokers to join their team! Crye-Leike’s 10 branch offices include: Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Norcross, Gainesville, Woodstock, Cartersville, Smyrna, Douglasville, and McDonough.

Crye-Leike has accelerated expansion plans that aim to further its footprint in the greater Atlanta market with offices in Dawsonville, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Newnan and Kennesaw.

Crye-Leike offers new competitive commission splits, cutting edge technology and marketing tools, in house and online training, referral opportunities and the tools you need to take your business to the next level. We sell more homes in the South than any other company. Please call one of our local offices today for an interview. see technology at work… 3D modeling, precision job scheduling and computer aided configuration.

Homes don’t sell in a “sellers market” because homeowners haven’t adequately maintained their most important investment, their homes.

Remodeling every 10 to 15 years is like tuning up your car; you’ve got to do it With the Expo Center we make remodeling fun and easy.

We have everything needed in one place… design, ordering, installation and project management.

John Hogan and Peter Schnieper are co-owners of Remodeling Expo Center located at the corner of King and Atlanta Streets, 48 King Street, Roswell GA 30075, 678-820-6882

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 23

XII ON CANTON OPEN HOUSE

By The Salter Forehand Team Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty XII ON CANTON is Downtown Alpharetta’s only premier Gated community with limited opportunities to live, work, play in coveted Downtown. XII on Canton is a boutique, luxury community of Forehand Twelve Single Family custom built homes offering the best of both worlds; Privacy in your own gated community and living within 1/2 mile from all that downtown has to offer.

Convenient to restaurants, shopping, farmers marSalter ket, food trucks, city sponsored events, the new Alpharetta City Center, and more! Homes in XII on Canton are designed by renowned architect, Stephen Fuller, in close collaboration with the community Developer bringing the vision of downtown luxury living to life. Each custom home will feature 4000 (+) sq ft, with magnificent architectural features, including covered porches, porte-cochère’s, optional pools, outdoor living areas, complimented by stunning landscape designs and community sidewalks.

From the Alpharetta Arts Center, head north on Canton Street, Community is located on the left, inside the Garden District. Only 8 remaining opportunities to “Be one of the Twelve”. Spec Homes under construction now on Lots 2 and 10, available for early 2018 delivery. Pre-Construction/ Custom Build opportunities available on Lots 1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12. Custom Homes Builders by HK Custom Homes, Pradera Group, Boyd Construction, New-River Build and Magnolia Drive, LLC. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact agents: Charlcie Forehand 678-6134422 (or) Karen Salter 770-309-7309.

Be sure and Like our Facebook page, XII on Canton. (#BeOneofTheTwelve) Join us for the «First Look - Open House» (open to the public) Thursday, November 16 from 12-4pm.

12 p.m. - 4 p.m. thursday, november 16 Catered by Smoke Jack Social Media Photo Contest: Take a photo and hashtag #beoneofthetwleve #twelveoncanton Winner receives $500!

Luxurious Georgian-inspired architecture seconds from Historic Downtown Alpharetta.

Starting at $1.35M+ Please use GPS address: 310 Canton Street, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009

S A LT E R F O R E H A N D T E A M Karen Salter, Charlcie Forehand + Morgan Forehand [ ks. ] 770.309.7309

[ cf. ] 678.613.4422

[ o.] 770.442.7300

charlcieforehand@atlantafinehomes.com karensalter@atlantafinehomes.com morganforehand@atlantafinehomes.com

TwelveOnCanton.com © All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Marketing and Sales by Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. Information contained herein is believed to be accurate but is not warranted and is subject to change without notice.

24 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Crucial games kick off second half of region 7-6A schedules Teams return to region play following holiday tournaments

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — The holiday travels and tournaments are over for North Fulton’s Region 7-AAAAAA basketball teams. Now, the focus shifts back to region play for the second half of teams’ region schedules, with programs competing in vital games this week.

Girls Northview vs. Alpharetta (Jan. 4) Highlighting the girls schedule is the Jan. 4 tilt between Alpharetta and Northview, a battle of the frontrunners for the region title and a rematch of last season’s region tournament championship game.

Defending champion Northview has continued its dominance this season, winning all 21 of their 7-6A games since the region realignments ahead of the 2016-17 season. But that streak will be tested against a seasoned Alpharetta team that has reeled off a 12-1 start that includes two tournament titles.

Thursday’s matchup will feature 7-6A’s top offense from Northview against Alpharetta’s region-leading

defense.

Northview is averaging 62 points per game in region, led by leading scorer Ashlee Austin, who is averaging 19.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

She is followed by freshman Eden Sample and sophomore point guard Asjah Innis who all average over eight points per game.

The Titans’ offense should be challenged by Alpharetta’s defensiveminded scheme. Through seven region games, the Raiders have allowed just 27 points per game. They gave up just 10 to Chattahoochee and 15 to North Atlanta last month.

Raiders’ senior Sydnie Ward has compiled 45 blocks in Alpharetta’s first 12 games, with Jaylyn Tillerson close behind with 37. Ward and Tillerson also lead the Raiders’ offense. Ward is averaging 16 points per game while Tillerson averages eight.

The Raiders are seeing production on both sides of the court from junior guards Grace Knutsen and Kendell Phillips. The winner will sit atop the region standings.

Centennial vs. Pope (Jan. 4) and vs. Cambridge (Jan 6) While Alpharetta and Northview are the frontrunners for this year’s region

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR WARSAW AREA SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS ITB # 18-006 The City of Alpharetta (City) is accepting bids for WARSAW AREA SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS including, but not limited to, installation of sidewalk and curb & gutter, excavation/trenching, backfilling for utilities, erosion and sediment control, and landscaping. The locations of the work are along Old Roswell Road, Warsaw Road, and Mansell Court - within the City of Alpharetta, Georgia.

The ITB will be available online Thursday, December 14, 2017 at our bid posting website, https://www.ebidexchange.com/alpharetta. Interested parties are required to log in to review the ITB documents.

The bid opening will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.

For information, please contact Abigail Shipp at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us or at 678-297-6052.

crown, Centennial looks to be in the fray.

The Knights beat Alpharetta 37-34 Dec. 18 and currently sit third in the region standings. Their only region loss came to Northview, 59-55, on Dec. 1.

Behind multiple returning starters, the Knights will enter Thursday’s matchup on a five-game win streak and look to jump to second in the standings with a win and an Alpharetta loss.

Centennial is led by senior guard and Florida Gulf Coast commit Shekinah Guthrie. She is averaging 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game.

Divine Guthrie and Aerial Nathan are averaging just shy of nine points per game.

The Knights will look to continue their win streak against Pope. Though the Greyhounds sit fifth in the standings, their three region wins have come against three of the bottom four teams.

Following Thursday’s matchup with Pope, the Knights will host Cambridge on Saturday.

The Bears have had a trying start to the season with a young squad.

Cambridge was dominated by Pope, Northview and Alpharetta earlier this year, losing those games by a combined 169-65. However, the Bears had lopsided wins over Chattahoochee and

North Atlanta before a last-second win over Dunwoody on Dec. 18.

Boys: Cambridge vs. Centennial (Jan. 6) Region leaders Cambridge and Centennial will meet Saturday, and if both win their Thursday games, Saturday’s winner will lead the region standings.

Cambridge is coming off its first-ever non-region tournament title and sits atop the standings following an undefeated (6-0) start in region play.

The Bears enter this week with the region’s highest-scoring offense and top defense. In region games, Cambridge is averaging a 13-point margin of victory in six contests.

Cambridge’s offense is led by a host of consistent double-digit scorers, including junior guards Kamar Robertson, David Kramer and Bryce Boutelle as well as senior center Kyler Ingram.

Centennial is led by senior guard Jahlen Jack and 6-foot-10 junior center Rodney Howard, who averages 11.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

The Knights have lived on the edge this season in region games, with three games decided by four points or less.

Their only region loss, Dec. 18 against Alpharetta, was decided by four points.

Cambridge takes on Johns Creek Jan. 4, while Centennial hosts Pope.

Roswell to establish sports programs for veterans with disabilities ROSWELL, Ga. — The city of Roswell will soon be able to provide disabled veterans with opportunities to improve their health and quality of life thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The City’s Recreation, Parks, Historic, and Cultural Affairs Department has been awarded a $21,080 VA Adaptive Sport Grant to create a Veteran’s Adaptive Softball League and Veteran’s Adaptive Cycling League, both of which will begin in spring 2018.

The Veteran’s Adaptive Softball League will be an eight-week program, accommodating 48 players (four teams of 12 players). Weekly practices and games will take place at the Roswell Rotary Dream Field, which was specially designed for adaptive recreation.

The end of the season will culminate in a tournament.

The VA Adaptive Sport Grant funds will be used to pay for equipment, such as bats, balls, gloves and helmets, as well as two multi-sport wheelchairs and staff salaries. Veterans with any physical impairment are encouraged to participate.

The Veteran’s Adaptive Cycling League will be offered in partnership with Bike Roswell, Catalyst Sports and Roswell Bicycles and welcomes veterans with physical impairments to experience cycling on the City of Roswell’s extensive trail system twice a week for eight weeks. Grant funds will be used to purchase four adaptive handbikes, as well as specialized hand grips and helmets.

SPORTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 4, 2018 | 25

BT boys basketball riding win streak into region play Injuries force Titans to call on reserves for added depth

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Defending Region 7-AAAA champions Blessed Trinity will look to preserve their crown beginning this Saturday as the Titans tip off their region schedule. They will do so on a hot streak, while the team continues to return injured players.

The Titans have had to deal with injuries to standout guard CJ Abrams, backup point guard Reid Gonzalez and Joe Boudreau, as well as filling the roles of three starters from last year’s region title team lost to graduation.

Head coach Patrick Hughes said it has been an “interesting” start to the season. He said he’s pleased with his team’s play of late, winning six of their last seven matches.

“It’s good for the kids, wins give positive reinforcement,” Hughes said.

“Their confidence gets built with vic-

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 bales of hay and never received them.

The woman had ordered the bales for her horses from a company in Colorado. She had negotiated with a man named “Frank” to buy 300 bales of hay for $2,700, including shipping, from his hay farm.

tories, and you always want to be hot entering region games.”

With just eight games on their region schedule, Hughes said every game is crucial and all will be a challenge.

The Titans also have the added test of being the defending region champs.

“We know we are going to get everyone’s best,” Hughes said. “I have told the guys we need to practice not like we are the region champs, but that we are trying to defend that title. We need to continue to work hard and we have a good shot, but I’m sure the other four teams think that, too.”

BT’s current streak includes wins over perennial playoff contenders in higher classes, including Hillgrove, North Cobb, Centennial and Alpharetta.

Playing such high-caliber opponents will prove beneficial during region play, Hughes said.

“I’m a big believer in challenging non-region games,” he said. “We want to play teams with different styles. That way, in region play, and the state playoffs if we reach them, it won’t be the first time we’ve seen those schemes.”

BT will rely on standouts Ben Shappard and CJ Abrams to lead “Frank” instructed her to write out a check to him and send it electronically.

The woman did so, and the payment cleared in her account, but she never received her hay, and “Frank” stopped communicating with her.

The woman contacted a friend who conducts investigations and found that the “Frank” she had allegedly been communicating with has been dead.

They also found that the company she had contacted is possibly fraudulent.

their region title defense. Shappard is averaging 14 points per game and six rebounds. “[Shappard] has been incredibly consistent and is a leader not only statistically but in effort on the court,” Hughes said. “And Abrams is often athletically the best player on the court.”

Though Shappard and Abrams should have significant contributions to the Titans’ success, injuries to the team have created more depth.

Jax Bouknight, Will Marin and Andy Swade have had more significant roles due to injury.

“Lots of guys have stepped up and contributed,” Hughes said.

The Titans are also building upon

last year’s implementation of a traditional man defense which was crucial in their region run. That has allowed BT to add intricacies that Hughes said should add to the team’s dynamic.

But the team will need to focus on playing consistent for four quarters against 7-4A opponents.

“We’ve looked good for a quarter but then not very strong the next three in some games,” Hughes said. “We played great against Hillgrove but turned around and played River Ridge a little flat.”

The Titans begin their region schedule Friday on the road against West Hall. The Titans went 3-0 against the Spartans last year.

Plan like there is no tomorrow.

Whether you are experiencing the loss of a loved one or want to plan for the future, a caring staff member at Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery is ready to serve your family.

950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076 | 770-993-4811 | www.roswellfuneralhome.com

26 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Case Worker: Full Time.

North Fulton Community Charities is seeking candidates for a Case Worker position to provide emergency assistance and prevention services for residents. The successful candidate will have excellent oral/written communication skills and experience working with a low income population.

BA &/or 5 yrs. experience required. Bilingual in Spanish a plus. NFCC requires background check, drug screen and e-Verify. Submit resume with salary requirements or pick up application & job descriptions at NFCC, 11270 Elkins Rd, Roswell 30076 or batherton@ nfcchelp.org

SERVICE DIRECTORY

NorthFulton.com NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell | Milton Herald | January 4, 2018 | 27

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

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Concrete/Asphalt RETAINING WALLS & CONCRETE WORK We build retaining walls. Local, reliable, honest, experienced.

Call Ralph at 678-898-7237 WE FIX UGLY DRIVEWAYS AND PATIOS. $150 OFF any job over $1500 New or Repair: Driveways, patios, sidewalks, walls. Call for FREE estimate. Ask for Dave McKemey.

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Flooring

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Gutters AARON’S ALLTYPE GUTTERS Repaired and Installed.

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All insurance. Paul Finegan 404-353-5611 Phillips Home Improvement We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Basements finished, kitchen and bath rehabs. All types flooring.

Also total home rehab for those who have a rental house or one to sell.

Call 678-887-1868 for a free estimate PATIOS-DECKS DRIVEWAYS SIDEWALKS & WALLS $150 OFF any job over $1500 Many local references.

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Landscaping RAS Landscape Design Installation A full service landscape company capable of doing your job. 25+ years experience.

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Painters J&J PAINTING OF GEORGIA Trusted-Family Owned.

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Pinestraw PINESTRAW, mulch delivery/installation available. Firewood $110/$200, plus delivery.

Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612.

Tree Services JJ Tree Cutting Services. Complete Tree Removal-Call us for a Free Quote, 678-467-1325 or 770-630-6672.

Licensed and insured. jjtreecutting@gmail. com 404Cuttree. One of the most experienced and reliable tree companies in North Atlanta.

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Ralph 678-898-7237 Yellow Ribbon Tree.

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Autos Wanted CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!!

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

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CADNET ADS

Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds.

Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home.

Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license identification or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it’s illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in U.S. dollars.

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Every time you use 770Tree.com to request an estimate, Appen-Rated makes a donation to North Fulton Community Charities or The Drake House.

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28 | January 4, 2018 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

LOCAL HOME SERVICES GUIDE TREE SERVICE

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How to identify a sick tree It’s easy to miss when a tree is growing sick. Most tree health problems grow slowly, with little visible difference from one day to the next, until leaves change colors or the canopy begins to thin. The longer it takes to spot problems, the more likely the tree’s illness will become serious enough that it needs to be removed. However, if you can catch the signs early and call for an arborist, it may be possible to

TREE SERVICE

treat the sickness or damage and save the tree. Keep an eye out for these common signs of trouble: • Look for wilting or oddly-colored leaves, either along one or two limbs or all over the tree.

• Check for cracks appearing in primary limbs or even in the trunk of the tree.

• Examine dead branches, which may simply need pruning, but which can also indicate that a tree is in poor health.

• Watch for decaying or hollow spots, especially along the trunk and around the joints of the limbs.

• Look for insect damage, such as chewed leaves, holes made by burrowing bugs, silk webs and nests, and dripping sap or honeydew.

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Let Us Connect You Alpharetta-Roswell Herald Delivers to 28,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076. Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Est. 1983.

Alpharetta’s paper of record.

Johns Creek Herald Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.

Northside Woman 18,000 copies distributed monthly to subdivisions and business in North Fulton and South Forsyth with home delivery to 40+ of the most exclusive gated and estate communities in North Atlanta.

Forsyth Herald Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30040, 30041.

Forsyth County’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998

Milton Herald Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006.

Milton’s paper of record.

Answer Books 40,000 copies distributed quarterly to local real estate agents, doctors, chambers of commerce, visitor’s bureaus as well as personal homes. Each quarter has a different focus including education, relocation, medical and seniors

p: 770-442-3278 | f: 770-475-1216 | e: advertising@appenmediagroup.com | 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009