ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council approved a contract Sept. 9 to study downtown parking moments after hearing a resident’s concerns about paid parking.
“I strongly do not support making anyone pay to park in downtown Alpharetta,” resident Jay Looft said. “Paying to park puts a very bad image on our city, and it just ticks people off.”
Acknowledging Looft’s remarks, city officials proceeded to hire Alpharettabased parking management firm Pivot Parking to collect data and provide options
for improving parking in the downtown. The contract comes with a price tag of $53,197.
Mayor Jim Gilvin said it was important to recognize the city is beginning one of the first steps in tackling the longstanding issue. Alpharetta is still far from making any concrete decisions, he said.
“It’s taken us years to get to this point where we are just trying to find out what the potential solutions are and where the problems are … we don’t have data yet,” Gilvin said.
But the mayor also said the City Council may consider paid parking as
See PARKING, Page 11
Alpharetta resident Jay Looft urges council members to consider options other than paid parking in downtown at a Sept. 9 meeting. The City Council unanimously approved a contract for Pivot Parking to gather data and make recommendations.
Roswell joins other cities, counties in fight to ban transient pet sales
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Peggy McCarthey, board member of the Georgia Pet Coalition, spoke to the Roswell City Council Sept. 9 during a review of an ordinance that would ban the transient sale of dogs, cats and domestic rabbits.
The coalition is a state-based organization that focuses on legislative advocacy for animal protection.
McCarthey said the policy specifically addresses sales that occur in parking lots, flea markets and street sides.
“These are transient sellers,” McCarthey said. “They’re here today,
gone tomorrow. You can’t find them.”
The first reading of the ordinance, unanimously approved by the City Council that night, would add a new section to the city code, Section 8.1.25.
Similar measures have already been passed elsewhere in Metro Atlanta.
In 2022, Forsyth County passed the ban, followed by Fulton County last year.
In June, Johns Creek did the same, with a push from Northview High School senior Trisha Gundugollu for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. McCarthey was her adviser.
As McCarthey spoke at the Roswell meeting Monday night, Gundugollu was being recognized for her work at Johns
Creek City Hall.
The policy is also being considered in DeKalb County.
McCarthey illustrated the issue at the Aug. 27 Roswell Community Development and Transportation Committee meeting with recent pictures of transient sales that occurred in Decatur and Cobb County.
She said these sorts of breeders often misrepresent the animal they’re selling, that the animals are often underage or are frequently sick, and that the breeders are strictly out for profit.
“They are not responsible breeders,”
See SALES, Page 11
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
SCREENSHOT
Peggy McCarthey, board member of the Georgia Pet Coalition, speaks to the Roswell City Council Sept. 9 about an ordinance that would ban the transient sale of dogs, cats and domestic rabbits.
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Roswell police kill man for charging with scissors
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Sept. 3 that a man was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead after an officer-involved shooting on Alpharetta Highway, just south of Houze Road.
No officers were injured.
Preliminary information indicates that at about 2 p.m. that day, a man armed with an edged weapon attempted to stab a MARTA
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.
Couple sought for theft of $5,000 in store items
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Almost $5,000 in beauty products were reported stolen from a North Point Parkway store Aug. 21.
Police were dispatched to the store where an employee said a man and woman had stolen the items, according to an Alpharetta police report. A total of 41 Dior items valued at $2,286 and 50 La Roche-Posay items valued at $2,201.50 were reported stolen.
The employee said surveillance cameras recorded the man and woman entering the store on Aug. 17 and stealing the items.
The man placed the items into a large black handbag the woman was holding.
The employee said the two have been seen shoplifting from their company’s stores in the past.
Officers arrest driver in hit-and-run incident
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 25-year-old Florida man Sept. 4 after he allegedly fled the scene of a hit and run at Holcomb Bridge Road and Holcomb Woods Parkway.
The victim, a 24-year-old Roswell woman, said a silver Chrysler sedan with a Florida
bus driver and fled.
When officers with the Roswell Police Department located the suspect, they said he charged them with a pair of scissors. Officers unsuccessfully attempted to tase the suspect and shot him as he continued to advance towards them.
Officers provided the man with medical aid, and he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to
license plate struck her vehicle around 10:40 a.m. and then drove off.
An officer said he contacted the vehicle’s registered owner who told him her nephew was driving the car.
The officer said the registered owner instructed her nephew to return to the scene of the accident near the Holcomb Bridge ConneXion shopping center.
It is not clear how the caller, living in Bradenton, Florida, got the vehicle to her nephew living in Alpharetta.
Officers said the Florida man told them through translators that the victim’s vehicle swerved in his lane and struck his 2015 Chrysler 200.
After reviewing security footage of the incident, officers said the Chrysler crossed over two lanes while turning onto the roadway and hit the woman’s car.
Officers arrested the Florida man and issued him four citations for hit and run, no insurance, instructional permit violation and failure to yield entering the roadway.
Atlanta man reports assault at hands of former dealer
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Atlanta man reported an aggravated assault on Sept. 2, saying a man had hit him with a pistol.
Police interviewed a man whose head was bleeding about 5 p.m. on North Point Parkway, according to an Alpharetta police report. He told officers he was attacked after getting off the bus to work at a restaurant.
The man told police he was approached by another man, who struck him after an argument. The injured man said his assail-
a GBI news release.
The agency says the man’s identity is not being released until his family is notified of his death and that he will be taken to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be given to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.
ant had previously threatened, shot at and struck him.
The injured man said he used to purchase marijuana from him.
Police did not apply for warrants because they did not know the legal name of the alleged attacker.
Fraudster raids account of Roswell bank customer
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a case of financial identity fraud after scammers wired $20,000 from a Roswell woman’s bank account Sept. 7.
The victim, 41, said she received a text messaging around noon from a person claiming to work for Chase Bank and asking her to confirm a wire transfer.
About 30 minutes later, the victim said she received a phone call from someone using a caller identification from Chase Bank. She said the unidentified caller had information about all her bank accounts, verified her last two transactions with Chase and said he was trying to help her stop the wire transfer.
When the call ended, the victim said she went to her local Chase Bank branch to change her account information.
Once at the bank, the victim said she received another notification about a pending $20,000 wire transfer. She said Chase Bank employees were unable to stop the transaction. Bank employees helped the victim file a claim for the transfer and created new accounts.
Officers said they gave a case number to the victim, who stated she would send over documentation.
Roswell Day of Hope provides help to needy
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Day of Hope, an annual event aimed to help those in need of basic resources, like health care, has been scheduled for Sept. 21.
The long-standing community tradition, in its 15th year, is organized by Hope Roswell, a nondenominational network of church leaders and pastors who seek to meet the needs of the community in a variety of ways throughout the year.
The free event, held at Roswell City Hall from noon to 4 p.m., will include free medical screenings and pairs of new shoes, while supplies last, as well as free dental screenings for visitors ages 12 and under. There will also be free haircuts.
Visitors can also enjoy music, local coffee flavors and food trucks as well as a Kid Zone with games and entertainment.
This year, planners hope to raise awareness of the mental health issues teens face.
They have partnered with local nonprofits and businesses to help loved ones understand why teenagers might be struggling, what signs loved ones should look for, and what they can do to help.
“We recognize there are many causes of depression,” explained Brenda Orlans, director of Hope Roswell, the organizing nonprofit. “One of the culprits for the spike in teen depression is technology. Social
media, isolation and less sleep all have contributed. Communities around the world are hurting, and Roswell is no exception.”
For more information on the Roswell Day of Hope, visit www. hoperoswell.org.
Longtime arts festival benefits local initiatives
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Arts Festival, set to feature artists working in a variety of mediums, has been scheduled for Sept. 21-22 at Roswell City Hall.
Founded in 1966 by the Roswell Recreation Association, the festival is the first of its kind north of the Chattahoochee River. It was started as a way to promote the arts in Roswell and raise funds for the city’s recreation and parks, according to the festival’s website.
The annual event, held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the weekend, is the association’s only fundraising initiative. It has supported more than $1.5 million in projects throughout the city, the
website says.
Among its early projects was the construction of Roswell’s first tennis courts and a little league field. The association also paid part of the salary for the city’s first Recreation and Parks director.
But, the association lists dozens of projects that have been funded through the effort, such as the serenity garden and outdoor fitness equipment at Roswell Area Park.
In addition to artists, the festival will feature food trucks and free children’s activities, like painting and spin art, and for a small fee, sand art, face painting and balloon animals. For more information, visit https://www.roswellartsfestival.com.
MARY BETH BISHOP/PROVIDED Volunteers Art and Gilma Cantu, Brenda Orlans and Ron Bevans are ready for guests at the free shoe tent at last year’s Day of Hope.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Johns Creek High School football players shake hands with members of the Johns Creek Veterans Association before the kick-off of the Veterans Memorial Cup Aug. 30 at The Fortress, Centennial High School’s stadium. The special event, a nonconference match between Johns Creek and Centennial high schools that features the colors and the national anthem, is an annual tradition that began in 2017.
High school football teams mark tradition with veterans
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Centennial and Johns Creek high school football teams matched up Aug. 30, continuing a tradition that began in 2017 to honor veterans.
The Veterans Memorial Cup, a nonconference game, was held at Centennial’s home stadium, “The Fortress.” It ended in a 17-13 win for the Knights.
Before kick-off, players from both teams shook hands with members of the Johns Creek Veterans Association on the 50-yard line, and the announcer provided the crowd with a brief history of the event.
In its first year, the Veterans Memorial Cup was held at the Gladiator’s stadium where the Knights pulled off a “come-from-behindvictory” in the fourth quarter. Because a significant portion of Centennial’s students are from Johns Creek, the announcer said there’s a natural rivalry.
“While the competition on the field would be fierce, the community and spirit of honoring our local veterans will always be at the forefront,” the announcer said.
The evening featured a presentation of the colors by members of the Johns Creek Veterans Association and two riflemen from Centennial’s Junior ROTC as well as a speech from Roger Wise, member of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.
“We must never forget that when you see a veteran, you walk up to them and shake their hand, and look them eyeball to eyeball and thank them for their service to our country,” Wise told
the sea of students sporting camo print for the special event. “... Remembering freedom and service is not free. Someone has to pay for it.”
The display ended with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, performed by Centennial’s band.
In an interview, Wise said the group will continue the tradition for years to come.
“It does a lot for the high school kids, and it also does a lot for the veterans,” he said.
Trey Henson, athletic director at Centennial High School, helped coordinate the event. He told Appen Media the purpose is for students to understand that they can contribute to something bigger than themselves, like veterans who have served the country, but on a smaller scale.
Henson said it’s also an opportunity for students to show gratitude.
“...Also thanking those guys for allowing them to live the life that they live and play the sport that they love to play,” he said.
While the Veterans Memorial Cup has been on a hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Henson said there had also been little flexibility to allow for the match considering the way the regions had been aligned.
But, because of new classifications and a smaller region size, Henson said Centennial’s schedule has opened to allow the team to play its rivals, like Riverwood International Charter School and Chattahoochee High School.
“The big thing was to get those back for A: for the kids, B: for the community and C: they’re just good atmospheres,” Henson said. “It's a good situation for our feeder programs and everything like that.”
East Lake champions PGA Tour history
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — East Lake Foundation
President and CEO Ilham Askia ensures that the historic golf club lives up to its motto, “Golf with a Purpose.”
With the PGA Tour’s 30 best golfers competing for the 2024 FedEx Cup and its $100 million purse, Askia said the club’s new fan experiences and amenities brought a lot of people to east Atlanta for the tournament.
She also said her team has been working for weeks in the lead up to the Tour Championship, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
Renovations of the historic East Lake Golf Club, permanent home of the PGA Tour Championship since 2004, began the day after last year’s tournament ended.
Around 11 months and $30 million later, designer Andrew Green completed the course restoration, which is based off the discovery of aerial photos from 1949.
In short, the renovation of East Lake means the topography of the course matches its look like it did a century ago.
Improvements include a new irrigation system, more than 100 acres of new grass, faster green surfaces and redesigned hazards.
“They incorporated some stuff from the 1940s and brought some modern stuff in from today,” Askia said. “They wanted to up the complexity for the pros but have it still playable for the members.”
A few alumni of the 2019 state champion Charles R. Drew Charter School recognized Askia from her work in the community and gave their thoughts on the final nine holes of the 72-hole tournament.
The local Drew Charter boys golf team vaulted into the national spotlight in 2019 when it won its first state title at Southern Landings in Warner Robins. The team became the first from Atlanta Public Schools and comprised entirely of Black players to win a state golf championship.
Chris McCrary, member of the state championship team and Georgia Tech alumni, said he and his friends had been watching Sahith Theegala.
“He had a great tee shot on No. 8,” McCrary said. “He can really bang that driver.”
McCrary and the Drew Charter alumni were looking to catch a glimpse of Scottie Scheffler’s final holes after back-to-back bogies on No. 7 and 8 dropped his lead to just a few strokes.
Season makes history
Scheffler is the winner of the 2024 Masters Tournament, The Players
professional golf.
Like so many things today, golf has changed significantly since Jones donned hickory clubs and a neck tie as he strolled up and down fairways at East Lake Golf Club.
The great grandchildren of those who watched Jones play golf nearly a century ago made their way to the permanent home of The Tour Championship Sept. 1 to see if Scottie Scheffler could maintain his five-shot lead heading into the final round.
Some of the patrons walking around East Lake and enjoying the PGA Tour’s top talent would not have been able to do so a hundred years ago. In fact, many residents in the community, like the Drew Charter boys golf team, would have been removed.
Ninety-six years have passed since Jones lifted the U.S. Open trophy, and a lot has changed for the better in the East Lake community.
Foundation goes beyond golf
Championship and the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup.
On top of that, he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational March 10, RBC Heritage April 22, Memorial Tournament June 9, Travelers Championship June 23 and set an Olympic record of 19-under, 265, across 72 holes on his way to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
It’s been an exceptional season for Scheffler, and he did not let down his fans Sept. 1.
When his last putt dropped in front of the historic two-story clubhouse, Scheffler raised his putter in the air with one arm. The gesture seemed to recognize the significance of his accomplishments in 2024: lowest scoring average in PGA Tour history, most victories and season earnings since Tiger Woods in 2006-07 and the first win at East Lake on the redesigned course.
But Scheffler’s year also includes some other notable milestones.
The Louisville Metro Police Department charged him with felony assault of an officer the morning of May 17 at the 2024 PGA Championship, only to drop it a few days later.
Scheffler, in conversation with NBC’s Mike Tirico, went over his shank out of a green-side bunker on No. 8 and how the PGA Tour Champion rebounded.
“It’s a challenging week starting with the lead,” Scheffler said. “[There were] a lot of talented guys behind me that were really pushing me and trying to catch me, but fortunately, I had a nice week and was able to take this trophy home.”
When Tirico compared Scheffler’s season to some of Tiger Woods’ early 2000s greatness, cheers rang out again
throughout the crowd.
“It’s hard to put into words what this year has been like for me,” Scheffler said, cracking a smile. “It’s been pretty emotional, there’s been a lot of stuff that’s gone on outside of golf.”
Scheffler and his wife Meredith celebrated the birth of their son just nine days before.
When Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced Scheffler’s Olympic gold medal, USA chants rang out across the gallery and clubhouse.
“Now you’re standing up here as FedEx Cup Champions, a tournament it takes 34 weeks to win and a trophy I know you fought so hard to win,” Monahan said. “Most importantly, when I look at this year, you were a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf.”
History matters at East Lake
Scottie Scheffler, like each generation’s most successful players, is tied to golf’s history.
Atlanta resident Bobby Jones, one of the most successful golfers in history, won his first tournament at East Lake at age 6 in 1908, the same year the final hole was completed.
Today, professional golf’s Grand Slam requires victories at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and the British Open.
Jones, the only golfer to ever capture all of golf’s major championships in one calendar year, did so winning the British Amateur and Open, as well as the U.S. Open and Amateur.
Ironically, the only person to ever achieve the Grand Slam did not play
In Deepak Chopra’s “Golf for Enlightenment,” the global leader in mindfulness and alternative medicine gives a host of thought-provoking quotes about how to approach the game of golf.
“Freedom comes when you see the built-in contradiction of trying to manipulate something that is going right to begin with,” Chopra wrote. “Stop trying to steer the river.”
There is a lot going right around East Lake Golf Club, Foundation President and CEO Ilham Askia said.
“Next month will be my two-year anniversary with the foundation, although I’ve been a part of this community for more than 20 years,” Askia said. “If people who are coming home, returning citizens, had an opportunity to be a part of a community like this, it would reduce recidivism.”
The Foundation began construction of the Trust at East Lake, a 40-home affordable housing project that looks to address the crisis in east Atlanta.
The neighborhood’s great asset, East Lake Golf Club and its Foundation, helps subsidize the housing development and make it a reality.
“‘Golf with a Purpose,’ is what the club says, and it’s truly golf with a purpose,” Askia said. “A portion of the proceeds are donated to the East Lake Foundation and four other nonprofits.”
The funds go directly into the surrounding community, including early learning centers and Drew Charter High School.
“This is our 29th year as a foundation, we just had a huge initiative … to address housing inequities,” Askia said. “I just encourage everyone, see what we’re doing next year for our 30th.”
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
From left, PGA Tour champion Scottie Scheffler and NBC’s Mike Tirico check out the FedEx Cup trophy Sept. 1 on the 18th green at East Lake Golf Club.
SiteOne renews lease at Mansell Overlook
ROSWELL, Ga. — Cushman & Wakefield announced it has arranged a long-term 55,869-square-foot lease renewal with SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. within Mansell Overlook, a four-building Class A office park in Roswell.
Annie Lewis Gomez and Jon Mayeske of Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate services firm, represented SiteOne Landscape Supply in the negotiations for their lease renewal. Mansell Overlook is owned by Sun Belt Office I, LLC.
“SiteOne Landscape Supply has committed to renew[ing] in the Alpharetta submarket long-term,” said Gomez, Director at Cushman & Wakefield. “We were able to secure immediate savings instead of waiting till their natural lease expiration in 2026.”
Mansell Overlook, located off Colonial Center Parkway, spans 67 acres with the campus offering tenants outdoor seating, walking paths, a new state-of-the-art fitness center and a conference center equipped with audio visual capabilities and Wi-Fi. The office park is also easily accessible to a number of nearby restaurants, retail, hotel and entertainment options within a heavily developed corridor.
Annual Atlanta India Festival to feature culture, food, music
Ga. — The sixth annual Atlanta India Festival invites visitors to indulge in the sights, sounds and flavors of Indian culture.
The festival, free and open to the public, is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, 1950 Old Alabama Road.
The festival is geared as a celebration of Indian culture and local Atlanta communities, event spokesman Cherian Chacko said.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Chacko said.
Last year’s festival drew almost 1,500 visitors.
“We would like to reach the community and share the cultural aspects of India — and be part of the community,” he said. A variety of vendors and marketplace will offer traditional and fusion Indian cuisine as well as merchandise.
Chacko said some of his favorite dishes are chicken tikka masala and samosas. Spicy food is always a big draw, he said.
Live music from modern beats to traditional classical rhythms as well as Bollywood-style dancing will be performed.
The event also will feature a volleyball
PROVIDED
The Atlanta Indian Festival is a way for community members to gather and celebrate Indian culture. This year, about 1,500 visitors are expected.
tournament.
“We are thrilled to host the Atlanta India Festival for the sixth consecutive year,” said the Rev. Mathew Koshy, vicar at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church. “This event is a testament to our community’s unity, celebration of diversity and shared joy. We extend a warm invitation to all to join us for a day filled with culture, connection, and celebration.”
For more information, visit atlantaindiafestival.com or email support@ atlantaindiafestival.com.
— Jon Wilcox
JADE HUBBARD/PROVIDED Mansell Overlook, a four-building Class A office park in Roswell, will house SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. as part of a longterm lease renewal with commercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.
ROSWELL,
When you can have an effect, a positive effect, on other people — I think that’s what our purpose as humans is in life, is to take care of each other.
LYNN STALLINGS, founder/executive producer, Atlanta Workshop Players
8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | September 12, 2024
Family offers space to explore self, nurture performing arts
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Lynn Stallings, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Atlanta Workshop Players, said her work involves teaching people to love.
The performing arts organization provides weekly classes in improv, acting essentials and on-camera acting, allowing clients to perform recorded scenes in a living room, kitchen or school. It also boasts a movie musical company, so students can sing, dance and act to original music for the big screen and earn IMDB credits.
“When you can have an effect, a positive effect, on other people — I think that’s what our purpose as humans is in life, is to take care of each other,” Lynn said. “If you can teach people to hate, you can certainly teach people to love, and that’s what we do.”
Sitting across from her husband Don Stallings and daughter Ashlyn Stallings in the studio’s Blackbox Theatre off Holcomb Bridge Road, Lynn provided the origin story of the Atlanta Workshop Players. The theater, an intimate setting, hosts improv comedy nights on Saturdays.
It was 1981, and while teaching acting classes, Lynn saw a void in venues where her students could perform. With a motto of “Kids Changing the World One Audience at a Time,” she founded the performing arts company and began touring schools. The young actors would share “something of importance to say,” or PSAs on social issues they brainstormed themselves, through original musicals.
“We were the first company that I know of that paid their kids, the performing kids, for their tour shows,” Lynn said.
The group toured for decades, producing one of Lynn’s favorite projects called “Masquerade” which is being developed into a movie. It’s about bullying.
Lynn, Don and Ashlyn spent a week in Florida to write the screenplay, with Don doing a lot of pacing. A former student of the nonprofit is slated as the film’s composer.
“It’s very entertaining and very funny and also very powerful, and it just grabs your heart,” Lynn said.
Family legacy
Like her own daughter, Lynn entered the industry at a young age, touring across the country with her mother, a dancer who had a performing arts company. Lynn’s first role, at age 9, was
in “Alice in Wonderland.”
But, she began to fall in love with behind-the-scenes work, eventually becoming a talent manager, a 24/7 job that ended once Ashlyn was born. Lynn said she has retained all the connections she found through her work, like casting directors and agents.
“We’re still connecting people to them and opening doors for our actors,” she said.
Lynn said hundreds of the nonprofit’s students have become professionals.
The walls of Studio 13 are covered in posters of movies and shows former students had performed in. A comprehensive set of projects are detailed in a poster by the door, including “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Don played a kindly father in that one, a relief for him.
“I’m usually squirrely bad guys,” said Don, also a standup comedian. “It was
WORKSHOP, Page 9
PHOTOS BY: AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Lynn Stallings, left, her husband Don and daughter Ashlyn ham it up at their performing arts nonprofit Atlanta Workshop Players in Roswell. Lynn founded the company in 1981.
The Atlanta Workshop Players’ Blackbox Theatre is an intimate space that hosts improv comedy nights every Saturday.
BUSINESSPOSTS
Workshop:
Continued from Page 8
nice to actually be — I was like, ‘Oh, a loving father who likes opera and poetry. Wow.’”
Don, who has been with the nonprofit almost the whole time, 42 out of the 43 years, met Lynn while auditioning for a show she was directing. They fell in love over “Ms. Pac-Man” during their breaks at a pizza restaurant.
Packaging dreams
During a tour of the 3,200-squarefoot studio, the trio lifted the curtain on a sound booth where clients can record “self-tapes,” or audition videos for movies, TV shows or commercials. That’s most auditions nowadays, though call-backs are either in person or on Zoom.
Lynn, who walked around barefoot donning a long, flowy shawl, said the nonprofit also redesigns resumes. Don takes the headshots, and he spent time that day helping a student with hers on his Canon.
“We help package people so that they can follow their dreams,” Lynn said.
The studio’s floors are whimsical, sort of like the family whose lives are spent pulling at others’ creativity, covered in splattered paint.
For more information on Atlanta Workshop Players, visit https:// www.atlantaworkshopplayers.com.
The on-camera room, set up this day for a screening, features a couch and other props like lockers, which also act as a soundproofing device. That night, they were showing “English Teacher,” a newly released TV show featuring Scarlette Amber Hernandez, a student at the Atlanta Workshop Players.
The nonprofit will have another screening soon for a show called “Teacup,” set to premiere on Peacock in October. Lynn and Don worked as on-set acting coaches.
Excited to get up and go to work every day, Lynn said it’s a privilege to spend time with supportive, creative people.
“It is an environment that is safe and exciting and creative all at the same time, and people lift each other up,” she said.
Ashlyn, a professional actress who also leads classes, recently introduced “Voice and Movement,” intended to help clients tell stories through physicality. Another class was recently created for a 13-yearold with a knack for screenwriting, set to join the nonprofit’s professional courses. Lynn called her a “prodigy.”
“I think AWP is the space with that kind of safety because of who you are, too,” Ashlyn told her mother.
SEPTEMBER
21 & 22
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
The Atlanta Workshop Players’ 3,200-square-foot studio space called Studio 13 is located off Holcomb Bridge Road.
Two students arrested on suspicion of making school violence threats
STAFF REPORTS newsroom@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Law enforcement authorities arrested two teens on felony charges after investigating alleged threats to Forsyth County schools.
The threats were made after a Sept. 4 school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County killed four people and injured nine. Colt Gray, 14, faces four counts of felony murder after he allegedly brought an AR-15 into Apalachee High School and killed two 14-year-olds and two teachers.
School shootings that receive intense media attention often generate copycat threats elsewhere, according to an FBI report.
Locally, a 15-year-old student was arrested on a terroristic threat charge after authorities investigated a Sept. 4 threat to Pinecrest Academy, a private Catholic school on Peachtree Parkway, according to a statement issued by the sheriff’s office. The student admitted to posting the threat as a joke, saying he thought it was funny.
Pinecrest employs a school resource officer at its campus, and police officers are present during carpool, Communications Director Vivian Heard said.
“Pinecrest remains steadfastly committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families and is grateful for the close partnership it shares with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Heard said.
A 14-year-old student from
DeSana Middle School was arrested on charges of terroristic threat and disruption of school after detectives investigated 12 reports of threats to several schools in the county on Sept. 5, authorities said.
The investigation determined there was no real threat to schools, and the students involved did not have access to weapons.
Both students were taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville.
Juvenile court judges decided to keep both students in custody until their court appearances.
In a statement, Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman thanked community members for alerting law enforcement.
His office has allocated dozens of extra deputies to local schools in addition to the officials who are regularly stationed there.
Freeman also asked parents to speak with their children.
“It is maddening that threats like these, hoax or not, follow a horrific event like the one in Barrow County earlier this week,” Freeman said. “Parents, please talk with your kids and explain that mentioning shooting up a school is no joke, and I will put them in jail if they do it.”
Following the Barrow County shooting, all of the district’s school resource officers in addition to other law enforcement officers were called to patrol or be stationed at campuses, Forsyth County Schools Director of Communication Michele Dugan said.
The district also sent letters supporting Barrow County schools
and informing local families about safety information.
“This heartbreaking incident is a solemn reminder of the challenges faced by all schools in ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff,” district officials said in their letter to Barrow County.
Nationwide, Americans are grappling with the largest school shooting since the March 2023 massacre at Covenant School in Nashville, which left six people dead.
Nine other people injured in the attack are reported to be recovering in area hospitals.
Forsyth County Schools officials have made other preparations throughout the year, routinely performing lockdown drills and training staff members about school safety, Dugan said.
Fulton and DeKalb counties
School officials in Fulton County and DeKalb County school districts said their priority is to ensure students are safe back in class moving forward.
Metro Atlanta school districts increased police patrols and presence on campuses in the wake of the shooting.
Fulton County Schools’ Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes said the district is collaborating with local police jurisdictions to have increased patrols on campuses for the next few days to support the FCS Police Department and increase visibility.
Like many school districts in Metro Atlanta, Noyes said FCS has made significant investments in
safety resources and tools over the past several years.
In a letter to parents and guardians, Fulton County Schools first put the focus on supporting the entire Barrow County School District during such challenging times.
“Whenever something as shocking and tragic as this happens, it impacts us all … we understand that incidents like these are deeply unsettling,” the letter said. “Please be assured that the safety and wellbeing of our students remain our highest priority.”
The letter stresses that there will be increased awareness of existing safety protocols in schools. It also encourages parents and guardians to speak with their children about their thoughts and feelings.
The DeKalb County School District issued a similar response Sept. 5, first extending condolences to Apalachee High School families and the entire Barrow County community.
Tracey Whaley, the school district’s executive director of Public Safety, ordered his command staff and officers Sept. 4 to be in a heightened state of alert, saying the precautionary measure is not related to any known threats in the area but out of an abundance of caution.
DeKalb County School District also provided resources through the National Association of School Psychologists about talking to children about school shootings and violence.
To access the association’s website, visit www.nasponline.org/.
Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group
We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.
Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.
For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”
Police arrest Roswell teen for threatening school
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Police Department announced the arrest of a 14-year-old student Sept. 7 who made online threats against Elkins Pointe Middle School.
The report says Roswell Police received multiple reports from concerned community members the evening of Sept. 6 about an online threat against the school posted from an anonymous Instagram account.
Parking:
a way of balancing the needs of local businesses.
“I understand no one wants to pay, but we also have restaurants and shops who have people parking in front … and keeping that space used all day for free,” Gilvin said. “The only reason any reasonable city is charging for parking is to get turnover.”
City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said it is still too soon to say which direction the city will move. Although many options are available, he said traditional metal parking meters will likely not be the solution.
The Roswell Police Criminal Investigation Division said detectives worked through the night, tracing the post to a home in Roswell.
At the residence, officers said the 14-year-old Elkins Pointe student admitted to posting the threat as a “joke.”
During the investigation, detectives served a search warrant at the home, finding and seizing a replica pellet gun,
about to embark on,” Lagerbloom said.
The city has seen incredible growth in the number of visitors to its downtown over the past 10 years, but the parking problem is more about access than the number of available spaces, he said.
Technology and valet parking are just a few options that may be considered, Lagerbloom said. The city may also look into incentivizing employees of local businesses to park in parking decks or partnering with local churches to access their lots.
Looft agreed with those alternative solutions, urging council members to look at options like technology, signage and valets, which would guide drivers to available spots rather than making them pay.
which had been displayed in the original threat.
Officers arrested the suspect on charges of terroristic threats/acts and domestic terrorism and transported him to the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center.
Roswell law enforcement authorities said across the state this week, dozens of young people have been arrested and charged for threats made against their
community in the wake of the school shooting that took place in Winder.
“These arrests should send a clear message from the unified and collaborative Georgia law enforcement community: threatening the safety and security of others is never a ‘joke,’” a police statement says. “It is a crime, and we will bring every available resource to bear to investigate and charge those responsible.”
“We need that, and it’s always welcome,” Lagerbloom said. Continued from Page 1
“There’s a lot of creative stuff we are
Sales:
Continued from Page 1
McCarthey said. “Good breeders don’t sell in parking lots.”
McCarthey also explained the connection between transient sales and gang activity. She said dogs, usually muscular bully breeds, are used for guarding drug houses, becoming part of a criminal culture, one that includes human trafficking which Roswell has been clamping down on in the past year.
City Councilwoman Christine Hall, who had introduced the topic, said the policy will be discussed at the next state legislative session in January.
“We hope to adopt this at a state level, and not just push them out of our city to the neighboring city,” Hall said.
The second reading and adoption is scheduled for Sept. 23.
In other action Sept. 9, the City Council passed the first reading of a text amendment that would ban coolers and water access from the city’s side at Old Mill Park because of issues resulting from overuse. Violations would result in a $250 fine.
Council members rehashed a debate
City Council members listen to City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom present a contract to study downtown parking at a Sept. 9 meeting. City officials said they are still in the early stages of tackling the issue, which has worsened as the city’s downtown has grown.
“I trust you’ll make the right call here and leave paid parking out of the list of solutions,” he said.
on the issue Appen Media reported on from the Aug. 27 Community Development and Transportation Committee meeting. City Councilwoman Sarah Beeson, who cast the lone dissenting vote Monday night, reiterated her concerns on the issue, like unnecessarily expending police resources.
Others described litter at the park, one of the primary reasons the new policy had been drafted.
The city closed access to the park’s waterfall Aug. 16, although visitors can take an alternate route from the other side within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
During the public comment portion of the item, Mark Beal, a resident who lives within walking distance to the park, told the council he thought the spirit of the ban was “well-intentioned.”
But, he asked members to reconsider the proposed limitations.
“Some of the earliest pictures I have on my phone from living in Roswell are me throwing the ball in that creek with my dog, me taking my boys down to that creek, letting them run around in it, me going in it myself,” Beal said. “So, it’s a challenge.”
The second reading and adoption is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Despite the many unanswered questions at this stage, Lagerbloom said one thing is for certain. City officials want to hear from local businesses and residents like Looft to make a more
informed decision.
Throughout the decision-making process, it is essential to partner with the community, he said.
Surrounded by Johns Creek City Council members Sept. 9, Trisha Gundugollu speaks to the public about her Gold Scout Gold Award project, which was spearheading the passage of a ban on pet sales in June. The same evening, the Roswell City Council unanimously approved the first reading of the same ordinance, with comments from Gundugollu’s advisor on the matter — Peggy McCarthey, board member of the Georgia Pet Coalition.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Miss being outside? Atlanta allergies persist and fall brings Ragweed
Brought to you by – Comprehensive Internal Medicine
What are allergies?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign particle, usually a protein. These proteins can come from pet dander, molds, pollens, or from trees and grasses. If you develop an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) reacts to it and the allergic reaction creates allergy symptoms.
What is an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction is the way your body responds to an allergen, usually a protein. You may feel itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, sinus or ear fullness, a hoarse voice, a scratchy throat, or trouble breathing. You may even develop a skin rash.
These symptoms can be treated with over the counter or prescription allergy medication or immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be tailored specifically for you.
What is
allergy testing?
To perform allergy testing, small pinpricks or scratches are made in the skin and a very small amount of allergen is placed to test your body’s response. If you react to the allergen, we have identified a trigger that is causing your allergy symptoms.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a treatment used to desensitize your body to the allergy trigger.
In this treatment, the results of your allergy testing are used to create a very personalized formula of medicine that is used to slowly treat your immune system in a way that stops reacting to your allergy trigger. Immunotherapy medicine is given by injection (allergy shots) and is administered twice weekly. The first injection is given in the doctor’s office.
Comprehensive Internal Medicine uses an advanced formulation and instruction that allows you to then give the injections at home. This saves the twice-weekly visits to the doctor’s office. You return to Comprehensive Internal Medicine every 6 weeks
to progress the therapy and at the end of one year, allergy testing is repeated. Often, a second year of treatment is advised, following which, most allergies are cured.
Alpharetta: (678) 205-9004
3180 North Point Pkwy | Suite 303 | Alpharetta, GA - 30005
Providing Medical Care Including the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases
Comprehensive Internal Medicine has been serving the Alpharetta community for 20 years, celebrating this milestone anniversary in 2023.
The medical practice offers a very comfortable environment and serves a medical home where patients are seen for their wellness examinations (checkups) and for the management of multiple medical problems. Same-day appointments are always available. We welcome new patients, take most insurance plans and discounts for self-pay patients.
Dr. Obiora has a special interest in managing medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He also specializes in diabetes prevention and weight loss.
In addition, he brings expertise in allergy treatment and managing allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and asthma, and can schedule allergy testing to determine the best way to treat allergy symptoms.
• High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Women’s Health • Thyroid Disease • Obesity/Weight Loss
• Arthritis
• High Cholesterol
• Seasonal Allergies
• Asthma
• Heart Disease
• Acute Illnesses such as: sore throat, flu, cough, common cold, etc.
Alexis obtained her nursing degree from Georgia College & State University and worked as a registered nurse at Emory University Hospital for over 4 years, where she specialized in Internal Medicine. She then earned her Master of Science from Kennesaw State University in their Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program. Alexis is a board certified FNP through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She prides herself in forming lasting relationships with her patients, while also providing compassionate and individualized care. She has a special interest in the treatment of allergies, sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.
Jeffrey Obiora, M.D.
Alexis Buelow, MSN, APRN, FNP-C.
Arezou Fatemi, M.D.
Sumera Pervaiz, M.D.
Sudeshna Nandi M.D.
Anju Bhushan, M.D.
Laurae Carpenetti, M.D.
Ryan Bozof, M.D.
Petula Gunn, APRN
Carol Hector, M.D.
Raphael Lopez, M.D.
Shima Mansouri, P.A.-C
Jacqueline T. Pearson, M.D., M.S.
Knotted DNA
Brought to you by –
Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
DNA is more knotted than you’d think. DNA can literally develop knots like a rope develops knots. DNA can also form knots like a string forms knots when you over-twist it. But those are not the type of knot we are focusing on in this article. Instead, a newly mapped type of “knot” called an i-motif turns out to be extremely common in the human genome. And i-motifs might prove to be the key to the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
When most of us picture DNA, we envision a beautiful spiraling structure consisting of two endlessly twisting strands. This structure is called a “double helix” and was first famously described as the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in 1953. However, ten years later, Dr. Karst Hoogsteen described a DNA structure that did not exhibit the classic DNA shape.
Dr. Hoogsteen observed that DNA base pairs could bind together in a manner that would not cause DNA to assume its more linear, double helical shape. Instead, Hoogsteen base pairing causes DNA strands to assume strange shapes including three and four stranded structures called triplexes and quadruplexes that can fold back upon themselves. These structures were predicted in the 1960s but their biological relevance is only now being identified and explored.
One of the structures that exhibits Hoogsteen base pairing is called an “i-motif. I-motifs look like knots, and they can behave like knots too. Like a knot in a shoelace, i-motifs can trip up our cell’s machinery and keep genes from being turned “on.” I-motifs are concentrated in parts of our genes that control growth. As you might predict, genes that control growth are also extremely important in the development of cancer.
I-Motifs’ importance in cancer may be tremendous. They turn out to be concentrated in certain cancercausing genes that have so far been very difficult to treat. One example is the cancer gene c-myc . Melanomas that metastasize are more likely to have extra copies of the c-myc gene. Approximately 70% of uveal melanomas (melanoma of the pigmented inner layer of the eyeball) have extra copies of this gene.
To target a bad gene, we usually target the protein that the gene makes because the protein is like the physical object one makes from an instruction manual whereas the DNA is the manual itself. It’s easier to spot an apple pie than it is a page of text containing the recipe for an apple pie.
Unfortunately, the c-myc protein is so hard to target with drugs that an article in The Lancet Discovery Science even called the gene “undruggable.” In contrast, an “easy” drug target is a cancercausing protein that is relatively ordered, stable and has a predictably consistent shape such that a medication or antibody can be relied upon to nearly always bind to the cancer-causing protein and inactivate it.
An example of an “easy” target is the kinase class of proteins which often have a predictable pocket called the “active site” responsible for the protein’s activity. Medicines that fit this pocket like a key to a lock have helped us treat many cancers in which kinases are culprits. In contrast, c-myc is believed to be “disordered” or “transiently ordered” with regions that only briefly take on the shape needed for the protein to perform its activity. C-myc’s unstable shape and disorder make it difficult to design a drug that can always recognize and bind it.
The c-myc protein may be hard to target, but the i-motifs at the beginning of c-myc’s DNA sequence could be a sitting duck. Small molecules that target i-motifs have already been developed. If these molecules are found to be specific enough to target cancer cells, then i-motifs may be a way of zeroing in on c-myc DNA at a time when we cannot target the c-myc protein itself. In essence, discovering knots in DNA is like discovering that cookbooks have thick stickers before critical passages of text. We can quicky spot a sticker. We can also easily eliminate books that are so thick with stickers that they can’t even be closed. It might be a way to close the book on cancer.
I still like to imagine DNA as a beautiful spiral staircase of two endlessly winding coils of DNA, but biology is always messier than we imagine. And so often, it’s in the mess that we find new opportunities. DNA is knotty, and from those knots we may unravel a cure.
Insist
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
A second opinion can change everything
opinion is the same as the first, it can help you feel more confident about your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Learning that you have a heart or vascular condition can create more questions than answers. What treatment is available? Is there more than one option? What will happen if I forgo treatment?
Deciding how to proceed can be stressful, and many patients feel tempted to go with whatever their doctor recommends. But at times like this, it’s essential to step back, take a deep breath and get a second opinion.
Receiving a second opinion as part of your heart care is critical because the medical world is becoming increasingly complex. A heart second opinion can help you understand your options before you make a momentous decision about your health and future. It can reveal new treatment possibilities. Or, if the second
Deciding whether to seek a second opinion can be emotional for some people. They worry they will hurt their doctor’s feelings or experience information overload. The fact is that second opinions are common in heart and vascular care. Doctors themselves seek a second opinion when they face a complex diagnosis. They know a second opinion can make the difference between life and death –especially when your heart is involved.
A second opinion can provide new hope
Your current doctor has your best interests at heart but may not know about the latest surgical and non-surgical therapies for your condition. They may mistakenly tell you that you don’t have any treatment options or guide you to
therapies that are unlikely to help. Heart and vascular specialists at Emory Healthcare have a national reputation for treating both common and complicated heart conditions. Our highly specialized teams have advanced training and expertise in medical, surgical and interventional cardiology. They can enroll patients in clinical trials that provide access to novel technologies and treatments that are not widely available. As a result, Emory Heart & Vascular offers more treatment options for the full range of heart and vascular conditions than many other institutions worldwide.
The second opinion process at Emory Healthcare
Obtaining a second opinion at Emory Heart & Vascular is straightforward. Before your appointment, our team will review your previous medical records.
Multiple physicians will discuss possible treatment options. They will reach a consensus about what options offer the most promise. During your office visit, they will share their recommendations with you. You can ask questions and decide with your care team how to proceed.
Ready to transform your Heart Treatment?
If you or someone you care about needs a second opinion for a heart condition, turn to doctors at the top of their field. Emory Heart & Vascular brings together more than 150 physicians and 18 specialized programs in cardiology, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery. Next-day new patient cardiology appointments are available at one of our 23 locations.
Visit emoryhealthcare.org/transform to learn more.
Brought to you by- Emory Heart & Vascular
Family history of heart disease? Emory Heart & Vascular can help rewrite it.
MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS
The difference? Emory Women’s Center at Johns Creek uses research and innovation in health to provide exceptional care, close to home.
Our expert heart & vascular team pioneers the most innovative techniques and treatments. Giving you more options and better outcomes than anywhere else. To make more “tickle monster!” moments like this possible.
From routine gynecology and menopause management, to high-risk pregnancies and specialty care, our team is here for your journey no matter where it takes you.
Visit emoryhealthcare.org/history to schedule an appointment.
Visit emoryhealthcare.org/women to schedule an appointment.
Experience the future of spine surgery at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
Brought to you by - Dr. Basheer Shakir and Dr. Benjamin Zussman, neurosurgeons at Wellstar
At Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, we’re redefining spine surgery with cuttingedge technology and unparalleled expertise. Our neurosurgeons, Dr. Basheer Shakir, Dr. Benjamin Zussman and Dr. Arthur Grigorian, are leading the charge in providing minimally invasive procedures that prioritize patient comfort, reduce recovery times and deliver exceptional outcomes.
Advanced minimally invasive techniques
One of the groundbreaking procedures offered at Wellstar North Fulton is the minimally invasive lateral
lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). Unlike traditional spinal fusion surgeries, LLIF allows access to the spine from the side of the body, bypassing major muscles and tissues. This approach minimizes postoperative pain and significantly shortens recovery times. LLIF is particularly effective for conditions like degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis and scoliosis.
Another innovative technique available at our medical center is the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). This advanced version of the traditional TLIF procedure involves smaller incisions and less muscle disruption, leading to reduced pain and a quicker return to normal activities. MIS-TLIF is an ideal solution for patients suffering from spinal instability and degenerative disc disease.
Revolutionary artificial disc replacement
For younger, more active patients seeking relief from spinal pain without sacrificing mobility, our artificial disc replacement offers a promising alternative to traditional fusion surgery.
This procedure preserves spinal flexibility and reduces the need for future operations, allowing patients to maintain their active lifestyles with minimal disruption.
Minimally invasive decompression surgery
Not every spinal condition requires implants. For patients with stenosis or a pinched nerve, our minimally invasive decompression surgery offers a highly effective solution. Through a tiny incision, our surgeons can remove bone or tissue compressing spinal nerves, resulting in minimal scarring, reduced pain and a swift recovery. This procedure is particularly beneficial for those looking to preserve flexibility and range of motion.
Cutting-edge technology: image-guided navigation systems
Our commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through our use of image-guided navigation systems. These advanced systems provide real-time, 3D visualization of a patient’s anatomy during surgery, enhancing surgical
precision and significantly improving patient outcomes.
Spinal cord stimulation
For patients who continue to have pain after conventional spinal surgery procedures or without a surgical solution, spinal cord stimulation can provide life-changing control and improvement of pain. We offer spinal cord stimulator trials, as well as spinal cord stimulator implantation, to relieve chronic pain.
Take the next step toward relief
At Wellstar North Fulton, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to our community. If you’re struggling with chronic back pain or a complex spinal condition, our expert neurosurgeons are here to help. With a patient-centered approach and personalized care plans, we ensure that each patient receives the treatment best suited to their individual needs.
Don’t let spinal issues hold you back. Schedule an appointment today by calling (770) 664-9600 or visit wellstar.org/ neurocare to learn more about our state-ofthe-art spine surgery services.
ZUSSMAN
PEXELS
SHAKIR
EXPERT SPINE SURGERY
Exercise fights cancer
Brought to you by - Jonathan Stegall, MD
Did you know that exercise is a powerful anticancer tool? Research has found that exercise reduces the growth and division of cancer cells and stimulates cancer cell death. Exercise has even been shown to improve immune system function as well.
Whether you have cancer or are trying to prevent it, the best time to start exercising is now. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing cancer and tend to have better treatment outcomes if they do get cancer.
Even if you have cancer and have not been participating in an exercise regimen, research tells us that you will benefit from starting an exercise program now. In addition to improving treatment outcomes, exercise also helps with fatigue, depression, anxiety, and even sleep.
The good news is that you only need to exercise 30 minutes a day, three times a week, to derive these benefits. An activity such as a brisk walk is perfect, at a pace which allows you to talk but not sing. Resistance training also has many benefits.
As always, please get approval from your doctor before embarking on a new exercise regimen. Choose an activity you enjoy, and make it a regular part of your life. You’ll be glad you did!
STEGALL
Amazing tooth replacements
Brought
Dr. Bradley Hepler, Atlanta Center for Dental Health
Dental Implants are popular and effective for individuals who have lost one or more teeth. They offer several advantages and can significantly improve a person’s oral health, appearance, and quality of life. Here are the reasons that so many people are choosing to have dental implants:
1. Replacement of missing teeth: Dental Implants are used to replace missing teeth, whether it’s a single tooth or multiple teeth. This is important for restoring proper chewing function and maintaining the alignment of surrounding teeth.
2. Improved aesthetics: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They can enhance your smile, boost your self-confidence, and provide a more natural appearance compared to other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges.
3. Enhanced eating ability: Dental implants provide strong biting and chewing capabilities,
allowing you to enjoy a full range of foods, including hard and crunchy items without restrictions.
4. Comfort : Dental implants are comfortable and stable. Unlike removable dentures, they do not slip or move when eating or speaking, providing a natural and comfortable experience.
5. Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the need for messy adhesives or removal at night, as required with dentures. They function just like natural teeth, making daily oral hygiene routines simple and hassle-free. Dental implants are brushed and flossed like all your other teeth.
6. Durability: Implants are a long-lasting solution. With proper care and maintenance, they can last a lifetime, whereas other options like dentures will require periodic adjustments or replacement.
7. Preservation of jawbone: When a tooth is lost, the underlying jawbone can start to deteriorate over time. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots and stimulate the bone, preventing bone loss and maintaining the integrity of the jawbone.
8. Improved speech: Missing teeth, especially front teeth can affect speech clarity. Dental implants can restore normal speech patterns by replacing missing teeth.
9. No impact on adjacent teeth: Unlike dental bridges, which require the reduction of adjacent healthy teeth, dental implants do not affect nearby teeth. This helps preserve the long-term health of your natural teeth.
10. Whole body health: Dental implants can contribute to better oral and overall health by filling the gaps left by missing teeth, preventing the shifting of neighboring teeth, and reducing the risk of gum disease and further tooth loss.
It is essential to consult with a dental professional to determine if dental implants are the right solution for your specific oral health needs. Factors like bone density, overall health, and personal preferences will influence the suitability of dental implants as a treatment option.
“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic
Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health are dedicated to your health and longevity. We provide all the modern advances that contemporary aesthetic dentistry offers. If you would like a complementary consultation to discover your smile restoring options, please call the Atlanta Center for Dental Health at 770-992-2236. It is our pleasure to serve this community and help as many people as possible live their best life.
focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of
clients.
guarantee a good match. Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.
Moving forward with healthy aging
We all know the future holds changes in our lives as we age. This September is Healthy Aging month, a time to take stock of where we are and make lifestyle improvements to follow our passions in life and maintain as much independence as possible.
The key to healthy aging is healthy living. By 2030, 1 in every 6 Americans will be over 65. This is leading to a new ways to think about the aging process. Assessing changes and taking steps now to improve your physical and mental fitness lets you take charge of your well-being. Here are some actions to consider.
ties and learning can all contribute to a better sleep cycle and help you get a good night’s sleep. It may get harder to fall and stay asleep as you get older but we all still need seven to nine hours each night.
Healthy aging means it’s also important to understand the signals that some assistance is necessary. ADLs, or activities of daily living, are those activities that you don't think much about until you or your older loved one has trouble with them. These are activities like walking safely around the house, eating nutritious meals, being able to perform basic grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting and move safely from one space to another.
Be proactive about regular checkups and tests. Preventive tests can catch changes early and help keep issues in check. This includes your vision and dental appointments. Research shows the increasing impact vision deterioration and dental problems can have on your entire body. Whether it’s a vision issue that increases your fall risk or periodontal disease that can have dietary and systemic impacts, consistent care leads to a better long term result.
Keep moving! Exercise is great as we age, while inactivity accelerates the aging process. Make sure your doctor is on board with any new exercise or dietary program. It’s so important to understand the role exercise and nutrition plays in staying strong.
Boost your mental health and learn something new. New skills can improve cognitive abilities, expand your social connections and open avenues for social activities and interactions. Exercise, diet, proactive health care, social activi-
Other signals are more subtle and may not occur daily. Can your older loved one do the laundry, handle basic house cleaning, meal preparation and grocery shopping, pay their bills, drive or take public transportation? Do they know when to take their pills or what to do in an emergency?
A Home Helpers caregiver can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany you on doctor’s visits and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. With a heart centered approach and positive spirit, they can also help pursue a hobby, enjoy outings and community activities, and build relationships that make for a longer and better life in the comfort of home.
We have a team with depth and skill that can provide the care you need from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.
Roswell Dental now offers genetic testing
Brought
to you by -
Roswell Dental Care, Dr. Destinee Hood
So, you may be asking why having genetic information is so important for your dentist. With this information, the clinician will be able to create a more personalized risk assessment for cavities and periodontal disease. For example, how is the patient’s genetics contributing to the severity of disease? How will the patient respond to treatment? And how susceptible is the patient to relapse? As healthcare is going towards “precision medicine,” which looks at the genetics, environment, and lifestyle of a person to select treatment that could work best for them, we can now provide even further personalized dental health care.
Understanding saliva testing
Saliva is a vital fluid produced by the salivary glands, playing a key role in digestion, oral hygiene, and overall health. It contains a complex mixture of proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, and microorganisms. This composition makes saliva a valuable diagnostic tool. Saliva testing involves analyzing these components to gain insights into a patient’s health status. In our office, we utilize OralDNA® Labs. These saliva tests can identify the specific type and concentration of 11 disease-causing bacteria as well as identify your interleukin-6 (IL6) genotype, which is a crucial factor in promoting the inflammation pathway in the body. Information from these tests detect risk for disease, guide strategies for maintaining health, offer more accurate diagnosis, and guide treatment choices for a wide variety of conditions.”
Systemic effects of oral bacteria
These bacteria, especially at high levels, and in combination with an individual’s genetic inflammatory response, result in bad breath, painful bleeding gums, loss of bone, and eventually tooth loss. The consequences of these same bacteria, present for years and decades, add significantly to the risk of a wide range of life-threatening diseases beyond the mouth. Below are some
of those diseases and the measurable risk of those diseases becoming serious if these oral pathogens are not treated.
Cardiovascular disease
Periodontal bacteria contribute to the initiation, progression, and prognosis of cardiovascular disease. There is also over a 2-fold increase in the risk of stroke and peripheral vascular disease. The plaque in your mouth is the same as plaque in your heart!
Metabolic health and diabetes
Elevated levels of periodontal bacteria can directly cause hyperglycemia. Early detection of periodontal infection and proactive management to reduce bacterial loads can improve blood sugar control and lessen complications of diabetes and the consequence of periodontitis.
Health during pregnancy
The oral microbiota changes when women become pregnant, and levels of periodontal pathogens increase. During pregnancy, there is a marked risk of infection of the maternal blood and the placenta, which leads to an increase in preterm labor, lower birth weight and even the chance of fetal loss due specifically to the bacteria
Development of cancer & risk of progression
Advanced periodontal disease is associated with a 2.5-fold increase in smoking-related cancers. People with elevated levels of certain periodontal pathogens have a greater chance of breast cancer recurrence or failed response to treatment. Several recent studies show that these pathogens can be identified within the primary cancer cells from colonic tumors and are carried to metastatic sites involving regional lymph nodes. This is a newly observed phenomenon that will affect how cancer treatment protocols will be developed in the future.
Other health risks may be involved as well. Please contact Roswell Dental Care for more information on genetic testing.
Dr. Destinee Hood is excited to provide this service to her patients. Our entire team at Roswell Dental Care creates a caring, judgementfree environment to help educate and empower you to become your best self! We take the time to listen to you, hear you, and guide you! Knowledge is power! Call and make your appointment today at 770-998-6736 or visit www.Roswelldentalcare.com.
• Crowns and Bridges in a few days
• Porcelain Veneers
• Tooth Colored Composite Fillings
• Teeth Whitening- no sensitivity
• Oral Cancer Screenings on all patients
• Teeth Cleanings, Digital X-Rays and Comprehensive Oral Exams on all new patients
• Cosmetic Smile Makeovers and Full Mouth Reconstruction (Complimentary Consultation)
• Occlusal Guards and Bite Adjustments
• Snore Guards and Sleep Apnea Analysis
• Digital X-Rays (90% less radiation) and Intra-Oral Photos
• Digitally Scanned Dental ImpressionsNo more gooey impressions!
Minimally invasive dentistry is our goal for your health and vitality
Conservative dentistry, also known as minimally invasive dentistry, is an approach to dental treatment that focuses on preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. The goal is to prevent or minimize the need for extensive dental treatment in the future by treating appropriately and emphasizing prevention.
Conservative dentistry emphasizes early detection and early intervention of dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, fractures, trauma, or even tooth loss. It involves conservative techniques that aim to remove the diseased or damaged portion of the tooth while preserving the healthy tooth structure. It also emphasizes preventative measures, such as regular dental checkups, professional cleanings, supplemental products, and patient education on proper oral hygiene and dietary practices.
At North Fulton Smiles, our mission is to help patients maintain stable dental health and preserve their dentition for life. Recognizing that dentistry, like
any other procedures, will need to be revisited in a lifetime, we aim to maintain conservative options that preserve dental structures and set up one’s teeth for the future.
We believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and our team emphasizes proper preventative care. In doing so, we elevate our patients overall health and vitality. We use up to date, advanced technologies like Cerec CAD/CAM, digital radiographs and intraoral scanners making it more accurate, safe, and patient friendly to help maintain good oral health for our patients. Our thorough and careful examinations, involving necessary x-rays, photographs and scans help us design a customized treatment plan that addresses dental issues in an appropriate and timely manner, offers solutions for long term stability and esthetic or cosmetic desires.
A smile is a significant part of our faces and confidence. Valuing its beauty and health can be achieved with intention and attention to conservative techniques that ensure ones smile can remain attractive and stable for life.
Alone vs. lonely
Brought to you by – Nehemiah
McClendon, M.Ed, at Summit Counseling Center
Nothing is better than those moments you have by yourself cuddled up in your favorite blanket watching Love Island or legs stretched out having a drink watching your favorite team go for glory. This alone time is craved, desired, and sometimes needed, but what happens when the clock on alone time strikes lonely? Loneliness is often followed up with the thought starting with everyone: EVERYONE is getting married, EVERYONE is having a baby, EVERYONE has a bunch of friends and most often EVERYONE is doing better than me. As a therapist, I often witness the profound impact loneliness has on individuals’ lives. It’s not merely the absence of company but a deep-seated emotional experience that can permeate every aspect of one’s existence.
The nature of loneliness
Loneliness isn’t just restricted to physical isolation; it can be an emotional state where we feel disconnected and unfulfilled in our relationships, even when surrounded by others. It looks different in different forms:
• Social isolation: When one lacks meaningful connections or spends excessive time alone.
• Emotional loneliness: Feeling misunderstood or unsupported, even when people are around.
• Existential loneliness: A deeper sense of being disconnected from life’s purpose or meaning.
Lonely-19
Oddly enough in a world where everyone is hyper-connected, it might seem paradoxical that loneliness is on the rise. The digital age has redefined how we interact, often replacing genuine connections with superficial online exchanges. This shift can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, as individuals compare their real lives to curated online personas. Instead of investing in authentic experiences and connections, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of seeking
temporary relief from loneliness through superficial online interactions, which only perpetuates our sense of isolation and disconnection from real-life fulfillment.
Lonely on the body and brain
Loneliness isn’t just a passing emotion; it can have serious implications for mental health:
• Depression and anxiety: Prolonged loneliness can contribute to depressive symptoms and exacerbate anxiety disorders.
• Physical health: Research shows loneliness is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, weakened immune response, and other physical ailments.
• Self-esteem: Feeling disconnected can erode self-worth, leading to a cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors.
Steps to connection
Self-reflection: Asking yourself questions like: What situations or environments trigger feelings of loneliness for me?
How do my thoughts and beliefs about myself contribute to my sense of loneliness?
Self-awareness: Understanding personal triggers and patterns that contribute to feelings of loneliness.
• Building connections: Foster genuine relationships through shared interests, volunteering, or joining communities.
• Seeking support: Therapy offers a safe space to explore feelings of loneliness and develop strategies for coping.
The path forward
Overcoming loneliness is a journey that requires patience and self-compassion. It’s about nurturing meaningful connections, both with others and ourselves. If you’re experiencing loneliness, remember that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Reach out, seek support, and take small steps toward reconnecting with yourself and others. Together, we can navigate the complexities of loneliness, cultivating a life filled with genuine connection and fulfillment.
Brought to you by – North Fulton Smiles
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Girls pageant winner has resume of helping seniors
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Royal International Miss Pageant winner Lyric Fluellen loves to help out in her community.
“It was really fun,” Lyric said.
As part of her platform for the pageant, Lyric, a 9-year-old Johns Creek girl and Montessori student, performed all kinds of community service from providing hundreds of holiday gifts to regularly making care kits for older residents.
Lyric won the Role Model Sweetheart title for 8-10-year-old girls division at this year’s pageant. She traveled to Orlando in July to attend the week-long pageant, which included interviews and fashion activities. She competed with more than 200 other girls from across the globe.
She donned various outfits, including a dress that was Chik-fil-A themed and emblazoned with the slogan “We didn’t invent the chicken, just the chicken
sandwich.”
Meeting and competing alongside all those girls, Lyric said, was her favorite part.
Lyric prepared for eight months, working with coaches and her parents on interview, fashion and other skills.
Lyric’s father Andre Fluellen, a former defensive tackle who played for Florida State and the Detroit Lions, said she sometimes attended as many as five practices a day, bringing an intensity that would have been at home on the football field.
“When she really wants something and she has her mind put on it, it's going to happen,” he said. “She put all the work in. She put in all the practices.”
After all that work, Lyric felt at ease standing before judges and speaking publicly.
Lyric’s father admitted he initially had
See PAGEANT, Page 25
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The Mayor and Council of the City of Roswell have tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 5.06 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the City of Roswell Council Chambers, City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia, 30075, on the following dates and times: September 23, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.
October 7, 2024 – 6:30 p.m.
October 15, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 4.949 mills, an increase of 0.195 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 4.754 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $575,000 is approximately $44.85 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $39.
Randy D Knighton
Kurt M. Wilson City Administrator Mayor
CITY OF ROSWELL
NOTICE
OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE EXPLANATION
The City of Roswell is tentatively proposing a property tax rate—also known as a millage rate—for Tax Year 2024 of 4.949 mills, which is the same as the prior year’s millage rate of 4.949. If the proposed millage rate is formally approved by Mayor and Council, Roswell’s property tax rate will continue to be the lowest maintenance and operations millage rate in 16 years.
Roswell’s proposed 2024 millage rate of 4.949 mills represents no change in either component of the millage rate.
With the City of Roswell’s 4.949 millage rate, a Roswell homeowner whose property has a fair market value of $575,000 (assessed value of $230,000), will pay about $1,138.27 in property tax to the City. Those with exemptions would pay even less. Approximately $207 of that goes towards debt service for the Voter Approved Bond Program.
For more information about Roswell’s millage rate, visit www.RoswellGov.com.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Lyric Fluellen reacts after she is named Role Model Sweetheart at this year’s Royal International Miss Pageant in Orlando in July. Lyric said she had so much fun at the competition that she wants to attend future pageants.
Lyric Fluellen shows off her Role Model Sweetheart sash after receiving the honor at the Royal International Miss Pageant in Orlando in July. Lyric said her favorite part of the pageant was meeting competitors from other countries.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Pageant:
Continued from Page 24
some reservations about his daughter competing in pageants. But he changed his mind after seeing how hard she worked and the many ways she’s given back to people in need.
“It's so much about public speaking, like she has her own platform, that she helps seniors around the community,” he said. “She sent out her senior care kits worldwide.”
Lyric has given out thousands of
Saturday” to assemble care packages. She sometimes delivers the packages from door to door.
She regularly visits senior centers in Milton, Alpharetta and elsewhere in her community.
On a trip with her family to Malta, she found a senior center where she handed out kits to residents.
“It just shows you the power of what pageantry is really all about,” Andre said.
“It's been great for her self-esteem, for her confidence, so I am a huge fan of pageantry, and I want her to continue.”
Lyric said she also finds personal satisfaction in the work.
Fluellen models a robin’s egg blue outfit at the Royal International Miss Pageant in Orlando in July. Lyric practiced for months to prepare for the public speaking and fashion portions of the competition.
NOTICE
The City of Roswell Mayor and Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at meetings to be held at
Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia 30075 on September 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM, October 7, 2024 at 6:30 PM, and October 15, 2024 at 7:00 PM and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years.
CURRENT 2024 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
*Preliminary Digest & Tentatively Proposed Millage Rate for Tax Year 2024
Randy D. Knighton
Wilson City Administrator Mayor
Lyric
Four tips to show your lawn some love
Those of us that enjoy our lawns are thrilled to have the warmer weather here in north Georgia! We are once again seeing our warm season grass at its peak beauty! Below are a few pieces of advice I would like to suggest to help maximize and maintain the appearance of your lawn now and throughout the year.
Test your soil.
While the best time to test your lawn soil is actually the fall, it is never too late and never a bad time to test. This low cost, potentially high impact activity can provide dividends to improve your lawn’s appearance. The actual results could save you money by providing a road map for exactly what fertilizers, or lack thereof, is needed to improve the overall health of your lawn. For more information on this, contact your county Extension office at http://extension.uga.edu/ about/county or call 1-800-ask-uga1.
Manage tree coverage.
The common thinking on lawns over the years has been that you cannot have a nice warm season lawn and trees at the same time. Further, as the thinking goes, it is nearly impossible for the two to coexist. I am here to tell you that it IS possible, BUT it may take some work. The first thing to evaluate is the location of tree limbs and lawn coverage. For most deciduous trees, you will want to limb up as high as possible. It is usually recommended that you leave the top two thirds of the tree canopy to maintain a healthy tree. This will not only allow for sunlight to reach your warm season grass, but it will also vastly improve air circulation on your lawn. We all know that to have a healthy lawn, good sunlight is necessary. Equally, without good air circulation, we are setting our lawns up for the ideal site for fungus growth. The damage to warm season grasses due to fungus growth is potentially catastrophic. I would suggest that one of the best things we can do for our lawns is limb up and thin out tree branches. It may be necessary to contact a local arborist for extensive tree work.
Manage site drainage.
Most people do not understand
that too much water and/or poor drainage is a surefire way to damage our turf lawns. If your lawn has low spots where water tends to pool after a good rain, now is the time to fill those spots and allow your turf time to adjust. Managing water runoff is equally important. Your lawn may be challenged by water from gutter downspouts and or other runoff points. If so, the necessary nutrients normally provided by topsoil that your lawn needs will not be there to support
About the author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Ed O’Connor, a 2024 Master Gardener intern and member of the North Fulton County Master Gardeners. Ed is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in business administration. Ed is an avid gardener, hiker, camper, backpacker and all things outdoors.
lawn to need more water resources and will actually increase your mowing frequency. Under normal circumstances, clippings should be left on the lawn. Returning the clippings will provide additional nutrients to the soil and eliminate yard waste. Summer is such an exciting time of year for your warm season grass! There are lots of little things we can do to ensure we maximize their beauty!
Happy gardening!
growth. Managing that excess runoff through underground drainage pipes may be necessary. This simple activity can pay dividends on improving the appearance of your lawn.
Remember mowing rule 101.
When your warm season grass needs to be trimmed, never cut more than one-third of the leaf canopy in a single mowing. Cutting more than that amount can cause your lawn to stress, require your
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https:// appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/ garden buzz/.
ED O’CONNOR Guest Columnist
Proper management of stormwater can be critical to protecting turf lawns.
PHOTOS PROVIDED Limbing up and thinning out tree coverage allows for sunlight and air circulation on turf lawns.
Managing water runoff sometimes requires underground diversion of excess rainfall.
OPINION
Cary Cox preserves Brower Candy Company legacy
The candy business began growing in the early part of the 20th century and took off following the end of World War I. Candy and candy bars were often distributed to soldiers during and after the war.
There were several candy companies in Atlanta. One was Brower Candy Company, a manufacturer of candies and cough drops. They also distributed candy and ice cream cones from other manufacturers.
Cary Cox holds precious family recipes, letters, and other documents passed down through the Brower family. She is a descendant of Walter A. Brower, founder of Brower Candy Company.
Walter Alexander Brower was born in Randolph County, N.C., in 1868. He moved to Atlanta and began working at the Frank E. Block Company, a local candy business. Brower decided to open his own candy company.
He married Gertrude Hendrix in 1899, and they had two sons, Milledge and Hugh. The family lived at 784 Capitol Avenue. Gertrude Hendrix was the daughter of James and Sarah (Sallie) Hendricks. James Hendricks was a contractor and builder in the Grant Park neighborhood. They also built and owned rental homes in the Old Fourth Ward of Atlanta.
Brower Candy Company first operated at 288 Edgewood Avenue. Later the company moved to 187189 Edgewood Avenue. The building included 12,000 square feet of space and was built in 1903 as the CocaCola Chewing Gum factory. The building still stands today and is listed as multi-family housing.
The company stationery featured Brower Candy Company’s motto at the bottom of the page, “Remember, everybody likes candy.” The image of a finger with a string tied around it accompanied the motto.
In 1916, the National Confectioner’s Association first introduced National Candy Day. It was discontinued when the U. S. entered World War I but returned in the 1920s. Atlanta proclaimed to be the second largest candy center in the U.S. in 1921. Candy companies listed as participating in National Candy Day included Frank E. Block Company, Brower Candy, Magnolia Candy Company and Tenenbaum Brothers.
National Candy Day continued in
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA Walter Brower kept his recipes in journals along with personal thoughts about his business.
Atlanta through the 1920s. In 1924, several candy companies, including Brower, donated candy to various children’s homes around the city. (Atlanta Journal, Oct. 12, 1924, “Atlanta Candy Men Donate Candy to Children’s Homes”)
Brower Candy began making pound cake ice cream cones in the 1920s and joined forces with Turnbull ice cream cones in the 1930s. Ice cream cones became a big seller with Brower Candy Company. The cones had a “waffle-like top,” which prevented breakage during serving. (Atlanta Constitution, May 28, 1934, “Brower Candy Company reports wide gains by grand cones”)
Cary’s parents, Betty Brower Cox and Fred Cox, lived on Shady Lane in Buckhead before they moved to 1155 Angelo Court in the Brookhaven Club Forest neighborhood. This is where Cary and her brother Ricky grew up, first attending McClatchey Elementary School on Loridans Drive and then Westminster. The home they lived in has been replaced with a new home.
She recalls shopping at the A&P at Cherokee Plaza and at Lenox Square. She also remembers the Morrison Farms nursery on Osborne Drive, where her family bought many flats of
pansies.
Cary’s maternal grandparents, Buford and Hugh Brower, lived on Lenox Road in the 1950s along with Cary’s mother Betty and Uncle Hugh, Jr. Betty Brower lived with her parents on Lenox Road until they moved to 765 Wildwood Road in Morningside. Cary’s paternal grandparents lived in Garden Hills.
Walter A. Brower was in an automobile accident on Flat Shoals Road in 1929. He was taken to Grady Hospital but did not survive. He was
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buried at Oakland Cemetery, and his wife Gertrude was buried beside him when she died in 1938. Walter and Gertrude’s son, Pfc. Milledge Brower and his wife Dorothy Richards Brower are buried in the family plot. Pfc. Brower received the Purple Heart after being injured in France during World War II. Gertrude’s parents, grandmother Eliza Dean, and great aunt Virginia are buried in the Oakland plot.
Thank you to Cary Cox for sharing her family history with me. She will soon be donating the documents and recipe books of Brower Candy Company to the Atlanta History Center, where they will be preserved for generations to come. She also honors her Brower and Hendricks ancestors by working as a garden volunteer at historic Oakland Cemetery.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF
Columnist
CARY COX/PROVIDED
Cary Cox standing in front of the Cox family home at 1155 Angelo Court in Brookhaven Club Forest.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA
The Brower Candy Company logo appeared at the bottom of their letterhead.
Tyler David Hass In Memoriam
Tyler David Hass, 27, of Marietta, GA, (formerly of Milton, GA and Kingwood, TX) passed away on September 2, 2024. Tyler was born on August 27th, 1997 in Carrollton, TX, a son to Mr. and Mrs. David and Chriss Hass.
Tyler was an accomplished gymnast, competing for 8 years, and winning several State and Regional Gold Medals in Texas. Along with Gymnastics, he played baseball and football through Middle School. During high school, Tyler performed in Milton High School’s Cirque Troupe, one of only a few schools to have a sanctioned Cirque de Soleil program. During his sophomore year at Milton, Tyler broke the school diving record as a member of the Swim & Dive team. He was recruited to be a Competitive Co-ed Cheerleader to leverage his gymnastics background and later received a scholarship to Cheer at Young Harris College in Hiawassee, GA, a beautiful campus in the North Georgia Mountains. Recently, Tyler was a Sales Representative for Southwind Corporation in Atlanta, GA.
Ogden, UT, Uncle Steve Hass of Worcester, MA and Aunt Courtney Copenhagen of New York City, grandparents Rich and Helen Copenhagen and Jane Mastrangelo. Also, several aunts, uncles, and cousins in Massachusetts, New York, Missouri, Kansas, Florida, and Wisconsin.
He is preceded in passing by his paternal grandparents, Roger and Frances Hass; uncle, Richard Hass; and step-grandfathers, John Mastrangelo and Jim Wojciechowski.
The Hass family will receive friends from four o’clock in the afternoon until eight on September 12 at Roswell Funeral Home.
A funeral Mass to honor Tyler will be held at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, September 13, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.
All friends and family are invited to join the Hass family for a luncheon following the funeral mass at Roswell Funeral Home.
David, Chriss and Timmy want to thank everyone for their unwavering support during this difficult time.
Beyond competitive sports, Tyler had a love of the outdoors, especially when fishing and hunting. He loved tending a great fire with his buddies. He shot his first deer at 11 years old in Wrightsville, GA, from 150 yards. He loved the history and serenity of a day on the lake, bay or ocean fishing. His last fishing trip was in St. George Island, FL, for his 27th birthday where he caught his limit.
Along with his parents, Tyler is survived by his younger brother Timmy of
DEATH NOTICES
Heather Albro, 52, of Milton, passed away on September 1, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Lisa Clock, 62, of Roswell, passed away on August 30, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Elizabeth Cusick, 88, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 1, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
In lieu of customary remembrances the family has requested donations be made to the Mental Health Foundation.
Please take a moment to share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting, www.roswellfuneralhome.com
The funeral services honoring Tyler are in the care of Roswell Funeral Home 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, Georgia 30076.
Lisa Emberger, 53, of Alpharetta, passed away on September 2, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Gerald Fisher, 61, of Atlanta, passed away on August 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Jane Hadley, 85, of Alpharetta, passed away on August 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Penelope Holder, 88, of Roswell, passed away on August 28, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Lucy McAlpine, 98, of Roswell, passed away on August 25, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Carrie Moss, 72, of Roswell, passed away on August 26, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
David Shadeed, 67, of Alpharetta, passed away on August 27, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Thornton, 80, of Roswell, passed away on September 2, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Bradley Wedge, 37, of Roswell, passed away on August 26, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
While covering Milton election operations, Appen Media analyzed historical voter data and identified possible disenfranchisement.
This reporting caused a statewide watchdog to get involved and, eventually, the city moved to add a polling place to the area. Later in the year, Appen discovered that the feasibility report the City Council used when voting to run their own elections was not the original document. Two residents on a working committee had altered it after city staff had completed it and before its presentation to council. Appen Media reporters identified all of the differences between the two documents and then created an interactive digital document. Readers and officials were able to scroll through the materials and read notes from the newsroom explaining the differences. You can find this document at appenmedia.com/electionsreport.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
A/C
Repair
A/C, plumbing, service repairs: Toilets, ceiling fans, hot water heaters/faucets, garbage disposal; light fixtures. 678-910-1094
AC/Heating
ATLANTA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, INC. 678 605-91592 TON $5500 INSTALLED 3 TON $6000 INSTALLED COMPLETE SYSTEM INCLUDES CONDENSER 410A, FURNACE 80% AFUE, HIGH EFFICIENCY EVAPORATOR, WIFI THERMOSTAT, PAD, OVERFLOW PAN, FILTER RACK. CALL 678 605-9159
SAVE $12,000! Greenlawn, Roswell. Regularly $7995 each. Selling for $12,000, seller will negotiate. Side-by-side
adjacent burial plots at Greenlawn
All Saints Section. Currently $8999 each, Priced $12,000. Call Cindy 404-797-0700
Sawnee EMC is seeking a Mechanic with diesel engine experience to perform mechanical work and related maintenance on company trucks, equipment and vehicles. Requires high school diploma or equivalency. Must have valid CDL Georgia Driver’s License or the ability to acquire a CDL. Requires previous work-related experience. Some Heavy Lifting. Rotating day and night shift schedule. Must be available to work alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours.
Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, September 13, 2024. Apply online: www.sawnee.coop/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.
IT Professionals (Johns Creek, GA) Business Systems Analysts, Software Developers, Software Engineers, IT Project Managers, Application Developers. Multiple Positions. Travel/Relocation to client locations within the U.S. as and when required by the client. The frequency and nature of travel or relocation will depend on client’s project requirements and delivery timelines. Mail resume to Datum Software Inc. Attn: HRGC, 12000 Findley Road, Ste. 350, Johns Creek, GA 30097.
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DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405
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CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, October 3, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, October 28, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. CU-24-13 The Tox/210 South Main Street
Consideration of a conditional use to allow ‘Massage Therapy’ for The Tox in an existing building in the Downtown. The Tox provides lymphatic drainage massage services. The property is located at 210 South Main Street, Suite D and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 694, 695 & 696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
b. Z-24-14/V-24-22 Pinnacle Pg LLC/Karen Drive
Consideration of a rezoning and variances to allow for the construction of 14 ‘ForSale’ single-family detached homes on 2.68 acres in the Downtown. A rezoning is requested from O-I (Office-Institutional) and C-2 (General Commercial) to DTMU (Downtown Mixed-Use). Variances are requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 2.3.3(G) to modify local street residential streetscape standards, UDC Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 2.4.6(C) to allow a street-facing garage without the required 20’ setback from the front façade of the home, and UDC Subsection 3.2.8(D) to reduce the landscape strip requirement along a new local street. The property is located at 0, 297 & 315 Karen Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 693 & 696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
c. PH-24-18 Unified Development Code (UDC) Text Amendments – Signs
Consideration of text amendments to Section 2.6 of the Unified Development Code (UDC) to amend regulations pertaining to Signs.
d. PH-24-17 Unified Development Code (UDC) Text Amendments – Short Term Rentals
Consideration of text amendments to Section 1.4 Definitions and Section 2.3 Supplementary Regulations of the Unified Development Code (UDC) to add a definition and regulations pertaining to Short Term Rentals.
Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
During
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF ROSWELL GEORGIA
East Roswell Park ITB 24-266-T
Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
The City of Roswell, Georgia, (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project:
East Roswell Park
<<City of Roswell Project Number 67101>>
Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the location, date, and time provided for on the City's official bid management and receipt platform, accessed using the City's Designated Website: https://roswellgov.bonfirehub.com/opportunities . The bid opening will be provided via simultaneous Zoom virtual meeting. Zoom information will be provided on the Designated Website.
ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE
Road Closure Times: Saturday, September 14, 6:00 am thru 7:00 pm
Affected Roads: Old Roswell Street and lot closed from the entrance of the paid parking lot to the entrance of the Smokejack lot.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The following items will be considered by the Design Review Board on Friday, October 18, 2024 with a workshop commencing at 8:30 a.m. and regular meeting commencing at 9:00 a.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
1. DRB240039 The Standard Alpharetta
Consideration of new walk up window. The property is located at 4 South Main St and is legally described as being in Land Lots 1268 & 1269, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
. 2. DRB240038 Main Street Dentistry
Consideration of signage for the business. The property is located at 366 North Main St and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1180, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
3. DRB240040 Noor Studio and Gallery
Consideration of signage for the business. The property is located at 390 North Main and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1180, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
4. DRB240041 Mozaika Mezze
Consideration of new awning for the business. The property is located at 2560 Old Milton Pkwy and is legally described as being in Land Lots 0749 & 0802, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
5. DRB240042 The Maxwell
Consideration of signage for the business. The property is located at 210 South Main and is legally described as being in Land Lots 0694,0695 & 0696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
