Dunwoody Crier - February 2, 2023

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DeKalb County schedules budget information sessions

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Residents interested in exploring the proposed 2023 DeKalb County budget have the opportunity to get a detailed look at the county’s finances for the new year, thanks to a series of

upcoming community information meetings.

Three meetings will be held across DeKalb County from Jan. 25 to Feb. 15, hosted by Budget Committee Chairman Commissioner Steve Brad -

Residents provide mixed assessment of police operation

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — About a dozen residents and public officials gathered at the North Shallowford Annex in Dunwoody Jan. 25 to talk about about the performance, efficiency and practices of the Dunwoody Police Department.

Hosted by Berry Dunn consultants, the forum was designed to provide more insight into how the Police Department operates.

As part of the study, Berry Dunn Justice and Public Safety Manager Michele Weinzetl said their firm will do an exhaustive examination of everything in the department, from whether it maintains industry best practices and data trends, to evaluating its “essential call for service,” which exam -

ines the changing types of service that different communities need.

Throughout the feedback event, participants largely spoke favorably of the department’s performance, commenting on its professionalism and proactivity.

“I think they do an excellent job, from my perspective,” a 31-year resident of the community said. “I've lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, South Carolina, North Carolina and I think they do an excellent job.”

Another resident, who has lived in the community before it incorporated into a city, said that he has been able to see the department grow better, and the community grow safer over the years.

See DUNWOODY, Page 6

shaw and T.J. Siegler, director of the county’s Office of Management and Budget.

“As the newly appointed Chair of the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee,” Bradshaw said. “I believe it

is a good exercise to hold community meetings across the county affording constituents an opportunity to engage in the budget process.”

See DEKALB, Page 3

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA Dunwoody Deputy Chief of Police Mike Carlson speaks at the opening of a community feedback meeting to assess operations of the local law enforcement agency held at the North Shallowford Annex building Jan. 25.

Spruill Center reports growing interest in arts

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Five arrested in Dunwoody vehicle burglary spree

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police in Dunwoody arrested five teens Jan. 26 accused of burglarizing more than a dozen parked vehicles at Peachford Hospital and a Dunwoody apartment complex Jan. 26.

Police were called to 2300 Peachford Road at about 12:30 a.m. Jan. 26 after receiving reports a vehicle burglary was in process at the Sterling Apartments. Police located multiple suspects “actively” breaking into cars, Sgt. Michael Cheek of the Dunwoody Police Department said.

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Woman’s purse stolen while shopping at store

DUNWOODY, Ga. —A woman reported to police Jan. 19 that her purse was stolen from her shopping cart by a thief, while she shopped at a Dunwoody TJ Maxx store.

Dunwoody police said the theft occurred at the TJ Maxx on Perimeter Center at about 2 p.m. as the victim was shopping. The victim reportedly saw her purse last inside her shopping cart and noticed a possible female suspect circling her “aimlessly” at the time.

A report said the suspect didn’t appear to be shopping and was acting strangely, holding a white shopping bag inside the store.

When the victim realized her purse was missing, she began looking for the woman who was acting strangely and saw her get in a car and drive away.

In total, the victim said approximately $7,000 was stolen,

All four suspects fled the scene when police arrived but were quickly located climbing a fence behind a public storage facility on North Shallowford Road.

One suspect was apprehended as police established a perimeter around the area and four other suspects were located hiding together with help from a K9 unit from the Brookhaven Police Department, Cheek said.

A suspect who continued to flee, ignoring officer’s orders to stop, was injured and apprehended by a K9 unit. He was arrested after being treated at a nearby hospital.

including the price of the purse, as well as an iPhone, cash and cards. Police reported no suspects have been identified.

Woman reports assault outside MARTA station

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police said a local woman waiting at the Hammond Drive MARTA station in Dunwoody Jan. 19, was assaulted by a male suspect.

The victim told police she was waiting for an Uber pickup at the station at about 6 p.m., when she was approached by an unidentified man, the incident report stated. When the victim attempted to walk away from the man, he grabbed her by her hoodie jacket and pulled her back toward him.

The woman was able to pull away and escape unharmed, and she was picked up at a nearby building.

The report did not identify any possible suspects in the crime.

$14,000 check fraud reported in Dunwoody

DUNWOODY, Ga. — A person took possession of a $14,000 check recently mailed to the Georgia Department of Revenue and cashed it at a Wells Fargo

In total, police located 16 burglarized vehicles at the Sterling Apartments and Peachford Hospital and identified three other vehicles the suspects attempted to burglarize. Cheek said officers recovered a stolen vehicle, two stolen handguns and other stolen items during the incident.

Those arrested in the incident included four 17-year-old males and a 15-year-old male, Cheek said. The 17-year-olds were transported to DeKalb County Jail, and the 15-year-old was transported to a Regional Youth Detention Center.

Cheek said each of the suspects will face multiple felony charges.

branch bank.

The victim, a Dunwoody resident, reported he mailed a $14,003.14 check to the state agency Jan. 16 from a mailbox near 7 Dunwoody Park, but he learned the check was cashed Jan. 18 at a Wells Fargo branch by someone using a name he was unfamiliar with.

The man told police he didn’t know who deposited the check and subsequently canceled his Wells Fargo account after the theft was discovered.

No suspect in the crime was identified.

Stolen car recovered by Dunwoody police

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police have recovered a stolen vehicle that was found Jan. 17 parked and abandoned on Perimeter Center Place.

Police reports said a white 2005 Nissan Titan, bearing no license plate, was located at about 11 p.m. parked at an apartment complex at 60 Perimeter Center Place by a police officer working a parking violation detail.

Searching state and national crime databases, the officer learned the vehicle had been reported stolen in Gwinnett County.

No suspects have been identified.

Readers respond to Dunwoody police stings article

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Reader response was robust after Appen Media broke news last week detailing how the Dunwoody Police Department has obscured arrest locations for prostitution stings over the past 10 years.

The article, “Dunwoody Police Department obscures documents in prostitution arrests” and “Police obscure arrest locations,” drew a cascade of response.

Appen Media reported that for more than a decade, the Dunwoody Police Department has held an informal policy to obscure the location of where undercover sex trafficking operations occur in published public documents, instead using the address of Dunwoody City Hall.

This practice, according to Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan, is meant to preserve his department’s ability to conduct sting operations at local hotels by treating them as confidential informants. Georgia law allows police departments to redact the names of confidential sources from initial incident reports.

Authorities on the First Amendment have decried this “informal policy” as a breach of the public’s trust, but Dunwoody city officials have universally backed the practice as justified by its results.

In letters to Appen Media, readers provided a variety of opinions on the article, some writing they think the department’s practice is correct. Others wrote they believe it is justified only in limited capacities.

“I’m in complete agreement for the police to continue to not expose the hotels,” one reader, who requested to remain anonymous wrote. “Right now, it would only hurt the reputations of the hotels and possibly, they would stop cooperating with the police.”

“I think transparency should ALWAYS be the starting point, unless, as in this case it needs to be limited,” another Dunwoody resident, Michael Pond, said.

“To me, public welfare and safety override any potential concerns about

a theoretical right to know in this situation,” Dunwoody resident Rich Lapin said.

However, other readers said they do not agree with the practice and questioned its legality and motivations.

“This is real local reporting, and I applaud Appen Media for it,” a reader who asked to remain anonymous said. “This story presents some thoughtprovoking dilemmas that deserve public discourse.”

Another reader, Bill Berg, commented: “The Attorney General is extremely visible and vocal on trafficking and prostitution issues, and I find it hard to believe he would support the informal policy.”

Readers also submitted a series of questions raised by the article.

They asked whether the Dunwoody City Attorney, municipal court or Georgia Attorney General’s Office had been consulted about the policy, why so many of the cases originating by these investigations are cleared in municipal court, and whether the department would agree to some type of oversight when using the policy.

When posed these questions by email, City of Dunwoody representatives declined to comment but did provide a statement.

“We appreciate your interest in the city’s efforts to proactively fight human trafficking,” Dunwoody Communications Director Jennifer Boettcher said. “The department’s means and methods are legal. If you have further questions, we’d refer you to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.

Readers also questioned Appen Media’s motives for publishing it’s article.

“If the goal is to let human traffickers flourish in Dunwoody, publish the cooperating hotel locations where stings occur,” a reader who asked to remain anonymous said. “If the goal is to stop the scourge of human trafficking, continue the sensible informal policy of publishing the City Hall address as opposed to the cooperating hotel address.”

Appen Media Publisher Hans Appen responded to the comments, saying the media company is dedicated

What do you think?

to investigating how and why public authorities make decisions, so readers can make informed decisions about their community.

“We report facts and leave it to the readers to make their own judgement on the practice and its implied tradeoffs,” Appen said. “However, they would not have known they were making those tradeoffs without our reporting. So, at the end of the day, if the public decides that it is OK with the risks associated with the practice in exchange for the perceived benefit, I will be glad that we gave them the information they needed to make that informed choice. An engaged and informed public fosters good governance and accountability.”

Continued from Page 1

Spruill Center reports interest in the arts is growing

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Nearly three years after shuttering its doors and halting activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials say Dunwoody’s Spruill Center for the Arts is coming into the new year better than ever.

Presenting a yearly update to the Dunwoody City Council Jan. 23, Spruill Center CEO Alan Mothner said 2022 was the center’s “best year ever” thanks to a three-year strategic plan initiated in 2020 to address the pandemic and plan for the future.

Mothner said over the past year, the center held more than 700 classes for nearly 6,000 students and hosted thousands of visitors and participants to the center’s gallery, open studio and summer camp programs.

With those numbers, the center has exceeded pre-pandemic participation levels, he said.

“We had a huge reach throughout our community, throughout some of the surrounding communities and as the face of the arts within the perimeter area,” he said. “We’re doing great things in that building and out in the community with the arts.”

Funding for the Spruill Center in 2022 included more than $530,000 in donations from various community sources

and nearly $1.7 million in earned revenues from classes, camps and the center’s gallery. Of that funding, Mothner said the center provided $1.17 million in “direct economic support” to artists in the community last year.

City Councilman Tom Lambert said the Spruill Center for the Arts was doing a tremendous job engaging with the community, especially after the difficulties it faced due to the pandemic.

Lambert said Spruill Center visitors never have anything but good things to say about their experiences, owed in large part to the dedication and hard work of Mothner’s staff.

“You guys do great things,” Lambert said. “I don’t think that’s an accident. I think that’s attributable to the organization and the hard work that you guys have done.”

To foster social connections in the community and increase their relevance in the community, Mothner said in 2022 they embarked on a host of new initiatives, including a partnership with Dunwoody’s Stage Door Theatre for their annual summer camp program and a free “coffee studio” event.

In addition to those programs, the Spruill Center participated in a series of community events like the Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park, Lemonade Days in Dunwoody and countless other events, popups and classes.

“If you reflect on our mission, we foster creativity, but we also foster social connections,” he said. “That’s what a true community arts center should do.”

City Councilman Joe Seconder said anytime he looks at the art programs in other cities, it drives home the benefits of having a public/private partnership art program, like Dunwoody has in the Spruill Center.

“I think it’s a great model,” Seconder said. “And we need to really communicate that to the citizens.”

But the Spruill Center’s wins aren’t

over, because big things are coming in 2023, Mothner said.

Over the next year, work will start on the Spruill Center’s expansion project to add seven new studio spaces and a community room at the city-owned facility on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. The building also houses the Stage Door Theatre, the North DeKalb Cultural Arts Center and a branch of the DeKalb County Public Library.

For the expansion project, Dunwoody has pledged $1 million from its general fund to match a $1.3 million investment from the Spruill Center.

Mothner said they expect to break ground for the project in April.

In addition to the expansion project and the center’s nearly completed new kiln building, Mothner said 2023 also marks the start new social service initiatives, like their Arts for Alzheimer’s program and a digital arts program for teens. They also plan to host more visiting artist series events than ever before, he said.

“All that is through your support,” he said. “We honestly cannot thank you enough for the opportunity to do this for our community. It’s something that we have been striving for years.”

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said that the work done by Spruill Center employees over the last three years shows the city was right to entrust them with $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, meant to help the most vulnerable in the community during the pandemic.

“I appreciate you providing the services that allows us to spend the funds as they were meant to be spent,” Deutsch said. “I’m grateful for that.”

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Officials say the Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody had its best year on record in 2022, with more classes, students, participants and visitors than ever.

Dunwoody:

Continued from Page 1

“Before we were incorporated into a city, we had questions regarding policing and safety in the neighborhood,” he said. “But since we incorporated into the City of Dunwoody, I’ve been very pleased,”

Constructive comments

Not everyone at meeting gave glowing reviews. Some shared real worries and concerns about local police.

One resident, Ali Mahbod, said he was a previous volunteer for the Dunwoody Police Department. As a volunteer, he said he felt unappreciated by the department and called the department a “Good old boys club.”

Mahbod said he now volunteers with the Atlanta Police Department, which he said is much better culture by contrast.

“With all their problems, they have a far better culture I've noticed than the City of Dunwoody Police Department,” he said.

Weinzetl stressed that an internal culture and climate study will be part of their report.

Reading from the police department’s 2021 annual report, another resident asked why the department’s seven detectives, solved only 282 of the 790 cases they initiated that year.

“Three years ago, I took the Citizens Police Academy course, and it was the same sort of ratio,” the man said. “That doesn't seem like a very big solve rate to me.”

Like with Mahbod’s comment, Weinzetl said Berry Dunn’s study will do an exhaustive dive into the police department’s data, including its case clearance rate and the “solvability factors” by which cases are assigned and investigated.

Another resident, who said that she’s lived in the community for about five years, said the department desperately needs a non-emergency number to field citizens’

calls. Currently residents are told to call 911 for both emergency and non-emergency situations.

“As someone who luckily has not needed to call an emergency line often,” she said, “I find it disruptive and interruptive to call the emergency number when I have a non-emergency.”

Call for service

After hearing general comments on the Police Department, Weinzetl asked the crowd for their opinions on changing, “the traditional police response model.”

She said one factor of their study will look at whether the Dunwoody Police Department would be served better with

more options for how they can respond to different situations. Historically, Weinzetl said police departments have been asked to respond to many things simply because they are a 24/7 available workforce in every community.

But there is a growing discussion about whether things like mental health issues and situations with unhoused individuals should be handled differently. Certain communities have had a lot of success responding to these incidents with mental health responders or social workers she said.

“We want to have the right response for the right condition,” she said. “We don't want to pound in the nail with a sledgehammer … let's put the right resource with the right demand.”

Dunwoody previously had a mental health responder contractor employee, but the position was recently discontinued after the contractor announced they could not uphold their contract with the city.

City Councilman Rob Price said the mental health responder position is still funded and the city is looking for a replacement.

Resident Sunita Sharma said she strongly supports the city employing a mental health responder.

“This is really a need, because there are a lot of mental health issues,” Sharma said. “We don't want them to end up in a prison rather than getting help from the doctor.”

Weinzetl said new models of policing could take different forms, like using non-sworn, non-firearm-carrying employees as crime scene technicians or to

respond to minor accidents.

Or it could involve a telephone response unit or online incident report, where officers take simple reports over the phone or through a form online, rather than responding in person. But these options would only be used in non-emergencies, where it’s certain a sworn officer isn’t needed, she said.

“If you have a criminal incident, and there's evidence, right, we're not sending a non-sworn person, we're going to send a police officer there that's trained to look at, pickup, gather and take custody over that evidence,” she said. “If you have a motor vehicle crash, we may send a non-sworn person to assist with that crash.”

The options were greeted favorably by participants, who said that they would be accepted provided there was the right communication with residents and education of police officers.

“I think these models would be embraced and acceptable if they make sense,” one woman said.

Weinzetl said Berry Dunn is about three to four months out from releasing a full report.

Once completed, the report will be released to the public with between 40 to 50 recommendations for improvement.

For those who were unable to participate in a public meeting, there was an open forum online that ran for several months. A new online forum will be initiated in the coming weeks.

“There will be a new survey to talk about the call for the service realignment piece,” she said. “That will be in the next few weeks.”

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Berry Dunn Justice and Public Safety Manager Michele Weinzetl listens to community feedback at a meeting about the Dunwoody Police Department held Jan. 25 at the North Shallowford Annex in Dunwoody.

Sandy Springs to hire master developer for City Springs Phase 2

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Officials in Sandy Springs have voted to launch the second phase of the City Springs campus in downtown.

At a special called meeting Jan. 23, the City Council voted unanimously to solicit proposals on development plans for Phase 2 of the project which includes the campus and surrounding area.

This comes less than a month after adoption of the City Springs Master Plan Update, which continues the original 2012 Sandy Springs City Center Master Plan, providing a framework for development, investment opportunities and infrastructure improvements in the downtown.

The Master Plan Update, which was developed through nearly a year of community engagement meetings, describes a vision of making City Spring a walkable and connected district with something for everyone, stretching from the current City Springs campus, up and down the Roswell Road Corridor.

Control of the project

With the City Springs Master Plan Update completed, City Manager Eden Freeman said they are now ready to find

a master developer for the next phase. To make their selection, Freeman said they have issued a request for proposal from five development firms.

Firms approached by the city include The Atlantic Companies, Mid City Real Estate Partners, Mill Creek Residential Trust, Regent Partners and Roca Point Partners.

“They’ll come back with full proposals,”

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said. “A very comprehensive layout of what they plan to do.”

Once the proposals are returned, the City Council is expected to make a final decision and award the contract in April.

“We’ve always partnered with the private sector, but the private sector hasn’t always done exactly things the way we

wanted them done,” Paul said. “This is one way we make sure we can control the development process and get exactly what the citizens of Sandy Springs expect.”

Maintenance building site

Councilmembers also approved the purchase of half an acre off Roswell Road in north Sandy Springs, which is slated to become part of the city’s new fleet maintenance facility.

Freeman told councilmembers the city was recently offered the opportunity to purchase two parcels directly behind city-owned property at 8475 Roswell Road, where they plan to build their new facility for maintenance and fueling of city vehicles.

The parcels were offered for $115,000 and if purchased, Freeman said all three parcels would be consolidated and rezoned for construction of the facility.

“Currently, the Fleet Facility is temporarily located on Hilderbrand Drive,” officials said. “Permanently moving the facility north will be advantageous, as it will be more readily available to the Police Department, which makes up the majority of the city's fleet pool.”

The purchase proposal was unanimously approved after a short discussion.

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Sandy Springs City Manager Eden Freeman presents councilmembers with a proposal at a special called meeting Jan. 23 at City Hall. Freeman said they are in the process of hiring a firm to serve as master developer for Phase 2 of the City Springs campus development.

World War II veteran W.T. Donaldson

William T. Donaldson was born in 1921 in the family home on North Shallowford Road where the Dunwoody Emory Clinic sits today. Dr. Puckett came to the home for the delivery.

W. T. Donaldson’s parents were Mattie Azilee Eison Donaldson and James W. Donaldson. I had the honor of meeting and interviewing World War II veteran W. T. Donaldson in 2011.

The location of the Donaldson home on North Shallowford meant that the children attended Chamblee School, which included elementary and high school all in the same location. Back then, school went through grade eleven.

The Donaldsons were dairy farmers, delivering their milk to Atlanta. When Mr. Donaldson was old enough to drive, he would deliver milk in a Chevrolet pickup truck, rising early in the morning to make deliveries before high school. His first class each morning was a study period, so being a little late didn’t matter.

The family grew corn and wheat on the farm and took it to the Cheek mill for grinding. The Cheek mills and cotton gin were located in the area of the southeast corner of Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Mount Vernon Road.

As a young boy, Mr. Donaldson attended the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church, which was the church of his mother’s family. Church services

were not held every Sunday, because the preachers travelled and delivered sermons at more than one church. Preachers would be hosted for the night by a local family. Mr. Donaldson recalls Pastor Bartow Phillips of Eb-

enezer staying overnight with his family.

When the Dunwoody Methodist church built a new parsonage, Mr. Donaldson was hired by Mr. Marchman to help with the framing. When the parsonage was complete, all the church and community were invited to a dinner on the ground.

In later years, W.T. Donaldson visited Winters Chapel Methodist Church and that is where he met his future wife, Lillian Grace Robbs. Her friends dared her to sit next to him on the church pew. They married in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1943 during World War II.

Mr. Donaldson was working at the Cochran base in Macon when he received his draft notice. At first, he was deferred because of the necessity of the work he was doing. Later, he was inducted at Fort McPherson here in Atlanta. From there he went to Miami Beach for basic training and then Sioux Falls, South Dakota for radio school.

He served with the Army Air Corps in the Pacific as a radio operator on B-24’s, beginning in Darwin, Australia. This was soon after Darwin had been bombed by the Japanese. Mr. Donald -

son went on many missions, but the longest lasted 16 hours. The mission involved flying over Borneo and Java. His outfit fought in the Battle of Coral Seas and New Guinea and received commendations for their service.

After the war, W. T. Donaldson returned to Dunwoody and his father gave him 5 acres of land on North Shallowford Road near where The Columns at Lake Ridge Apartments are today.

He and his wife and family lived there for twenty years before moving to Sandy Springs.

The Donaldson Bannister Home at the corner of Vermack Road and Chamblee Dunwoody Road was built in 1870 by W. T. Donaldson’s great grandfather, W. J. Donaldson.

W.T. Donaldson died on Dec. 4, 2015, and is buried at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Sandy Springs. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

Columnist

DANNY ROSS/PROVIDED

Cousins Fred Donaldson, left, and W.T. Donaldson gather at a 2009 family reunion held at Donaldson-Bannister Farm. W.T. Donaldson died in 2015. Fred Donaldson died in 2022.

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Romance, Black experience in America among topics for February book events

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

It may be the shortest month, but February is long on local literary events. From romancethemed presentations to more sobering explorations on the Black experience in America, authors will be sharing new releases and a broad range of messages with readers in and around North Fulton County throughout the month.

Book lovers yearning for light-hearted yarns shouldn’t miss A Novel Idea’s Dunwoody event Feb. 21. Celebrating a month of romance, A Novel Idea will present a pair of authors, Marilyn Baron and Kim Conrey, with much to say about the saucy subject.

Baron, who has won numerous writing awards in a variety of genres, including romance, will release her 29th work of

Literary Events Around North Atlanta

Saturday, Feb. 4: Dr. Sree Meleth: Meleth, a public health researcher and transformational life coach, will discuss and sign her book, “More than Peace, Power & Presence through Meditation.” Free. 11 a.m.-noon mini meditation workshop. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com.

Saturday, Feb. 11: George Weinstein: Weinstein, author of seven books – ranging from historical fiction to thrillers – as well as the executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and Atlanta Writers Conference director, will talk about his most recent release, “Return to Hardscrabble Road.” Conversation, signing. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Posman Books, 4105 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, 470-509-5727. posmanbooks.com

Tuesday, Feb. 21: Marilyn Baron and Kim Conrey: A Novel Idea revels in a month of romance with two authors intimately acquainted with the subject. Baron, who writes in a variety of genres, including romance, will release her 29th work of fiction, “The Case of the Forgotten Fragonard,” in March, which she will discuss with local novelist Kathy Des Jardins. Conrey is the debut author of the sci-fi romance “Stealing Ares,” published not long after she and husband, author George Weinstein, were married. Conrey and Weinstein will reflect on life for a pair of writers finding love and literary success together. Signing. Free. Vintage Pizzeria Dunwoody, 5510 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, 470-359-5982. anovelidea.us.

Feb. 24-26: Georgia Writers Museum Writers Retreat: Numerous authors from the Appen Media reading area, including George Weinstein, Kim Conrey, Beverly Armento and Milton Davis, will be leading writing workshops and panel discussions at the second annual Writers Retreat hosted by the Georgia Writers Museum. Talks include paths to

fiction in March. “The Case of the Forgotten Fragonard” is Book 3 of her Massimo Domingo Mystery series, which she will discuss with local novelist Kathy Des Jardins.

Conrey is the debut author of the sci-fi romance “Stealing Ares,” which she completed as a newlywed. Conrey and her husband of 19 months, author George Weinstein, will chat about romance – in books and in real life.

As for weightier themes, novelist Daniel Black will be discussing his debut essay collection, “Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America,” in Roswell Feb. 25 for the Atlanta Authors Series. Black, an acclaimed author and professor of African American studies at Clark Atlanta University, is the winner of the Distinguished Writer Award from the Middle-Atlantic Writer’s Association and has been nominated for the Townsend Prize for Fiction, the Ernest J. Gaines Award, the Ferro-Grumley Literary Prize, the Lambda Literary Award, and the Georgia Author of the Year Award. Issues covered in his collection, published Jan. 31, include police brutality, the AIDS crisis and the role of historically Black colleges or universities.

publication, writing short stories vs. novels, memoir writing, working with an editor, writing nonfiction, writing children’s books, and more. Several pricing options are available. Georgia Writers Museum, 109 South Jefferson Ave., Eatonton. 706-991-5119. georgiawritersmuseum.org/2023-writers-retreat

Saturday, Feb. 25: Sarah K. Lanier: Lanier will be reading her children’s book, “My Glasses Story: How I Learned to See Myself Clearly,” which she also illustrated. Signing. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566.

Saturday, Feb. 25: Daniel Black: The Atlanta Authors Series, sponsored by the Friends of the Roswell Library and the Friends of the East Roswell Library, will host Black discussing his new book, “Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America.” Black is a professor of English and African American studies at Clark Atlanta University and author of seven novels, including “Don’t Cry For Me.” “Black on Black” is his first work of nonfiction. Bookmiser, the event’s bookseller, will have copies to purchase. Conversation, signing. Free. 2-3:30 p.m. Roswell Public Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404-6129700. forl.net/atlanta-authors

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Anju Gattani: Johns Creek Books and Gifts will host “A Celebration of Diversity,” featuring Gattani, author of “Dynasties,” the first book in her newly released “Winds of Fire” series. Talk, signing, refreshments and a henna artist on site. Free. Johns Creek Books and Gifts, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Suite B500, Johns Creek. 770-696-9999. Johnscreekbooks.com

To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@ gmail.com by the 15th.

D. BLACK

M. BARON

What can local home buyers expect in 2023?

Brought to you by – Dan Griffin, Broker/Realtor, Compass Inc.

The last several months have been especially tough for home buyers, who've had to contend with rising interest rates and low inventory for much of 2022. However, it looks like the real estate market may be turning a corner in favor of buyers. In fact, according to Compass CEO Robert Reffkin, all signs are pointing toward a shift in the market for 2023.

Over the last month, there’s been a sharp increase in mortgage applications and buyers requesting to view homes. This renewed interest in purchasing property has led to more buyers putting in offers, proving that the market is changing. Sellers have also begun giving concessions to buyers upon closing rather than the other way around. In fact, in

Q4 of 2022, buyer concessions reached a 10-year high. This is great news for buyers as sellers have held all the power for the last two years.

GRIFFIN

So what does this mean if you want to purchase a home this year? Buyers are in a good position to negotiate now that the housing market has cooled off a little. Because of the ongoing low inventory, buyers can be confident that their new home will retain its value. Interest rates have also gone down slightly in the last few weeks. Even a small dip in rates translates to significant savings for home buyers. If you’ve been thinking about buying a home this year, it’s worth talking to a mortgage broker about your options. Overall, it looks like the buyers’ strike has ended and experts are feeling more optimistic about what that means for buyers in 2023.

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In addition to impressive interior details, the homes at Hillandale include a variety of features including an irrigation system, tankless water heater, free-standing tub, gas lanterns per plan on front patios, pebbled driveways and community sidewalks. Front and rear lawn maintenance are also included in the HOA.

There are several move-in ready homes available including the popular Windham situated on lot 9 which offers a lavish owners retreat on main level. The grand 2-story entry foyer showcases the wonderful flow and functionality of this home. There is a dining room with butler’s pantry and seating for 10+ guests. The chef’s kitchen with oversized island and breakfast bar opens to the fireside family room with beamed ceilings. This fourbedroom and four and one-half bathroom home is offered

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The Tierney situated on homesite 11 is a striking twostory home featuring four bedrooms, three and one-half baths and is perfect for entertaining with open living spaces and a chef’s kitchen with the latest in design. There are three large secondary bedrooms and a large loft. Priced at $1,126,005, this discerning home includes hardwoods on the main level and an extensive list of designer upgrades.

Homesite 12 features the Galway A an open and inviting home design with three bedrooms, four baths and a loft perfect for a home office. The elegant, sleek kitchen offers a huge island with breakfast bar and a hidden walk-in pantry with appliance bar and floating shelves. Enjoy easy access from the kitchen to the covered patio for additional outdoor entertaining space. Other assets include a mud room, an abundance of storage and three-car tandem garage. Offered for $1,105.310.

Homeowners at Hillandale enjoy a convenient and central location with easy access to local dining and shopping. The Chattahoochee River and pristine parks envelop the

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Patrick Malloy Communities, founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, builds new homes in Metro Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. To date, the builder has developed over 11,000 homesites and built 7,000 homes with a total of more than $4 billion in sales. Accolades include multiple mentions in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder and numerous professionalism awards, including community of the year awards. Patrick Malloy Communities also received a 2022 Guildmaster Award from GuildQuality for demonstrating exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry.

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APPEN MEDIA’S FIRST EVER

Shopping Spree Giveaway

Start the year off right with a chance to win a $1,000 Shopping Spree courtesy of Appen Media and the Crier Newspapers.

Each week, our newsroom will hide this shopping cart image in the newspaper. Once you find it, visit appenmedia.com/shoppingspree and enter

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2) Your email

3) The page number you found the image That’s it!

The contest will run for 13 consecutive weeks, so submit an entry each week to maximize your chances of winning.

The winner will be randomly drawn, notified on Monday, April 3rd and announced in the April 13th Crier publications. HAPPY SHOPPING …and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Roswell Firelabs is a gym for the brain

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Firelabs serves as a playground for visitors who like to tinker and create.

“It's basically like a recreation center for your brain,” Roswell Firelabs Executive Director William Strika said, sitting in the facility’s multi-purpose room. The room is home to electronics, HAM radio and sewing/cosplay workstations.

“It's just like somebody who goes to a gym to work out for physical strength,” Strika said. “You come here to kind of exercise your brain.”

Strika got together with a few people in 2017 and pitched an idea to the Roswell City Council to convert the newly vacated fire station on Holcomb Bridge Road into a makerspace. Roswell Firelabs, a volunteerdriven nonprofit, opened in November 2018 with 40 members.

Membership grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Strika said, when people were losing their jobs, wanting to learn new skills or just wanting to get out of the house. Now, there’s around 145 members.

Roswell Firelabs offers regular classes on a variety of skills, open to the public. Members, who pay $50 a month, can receive classes for free or at discount. Strika teaches classes like laser cutting. Because he works his regular job remotely, he’s able to spend about six to eight hours a day at Roswell Firelabs.

“I love being here and helping everybody,” Strika said. “I wouldn't have it any other way.”

Gadgets line most of the walls and are tucked into every crevice inside Roswell Firelabs. Loads of industrial-grade equipment are separated into rooms categorized by purpose, like woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, 3D-printing and a glass and sculpture space.

The largest area in Roswell Firelabs is its 1,200-square-foot woodworking area. Active use of the space’s equipment triggers the loud drone of the air filtration system, which catches wood dust. Over the deafening sound, Strika pointed to the metal, tubular air purifiers hanging out the room.

“Fine particle dust — it's really hazardous to your health,” Strika said with a raised voice. “We take it pretty seriously.”

Woodworking is the biggest demographic, Strika said. Across the room, member Doug Falan operated woodworking equipment to cut out small hearts. He plans to put them in bundles to sell to friends and family.

Qualified candidates send resume to: mike@appenmedia.com

Falan and his family are from Michigan, but they come down for the winter. He either throws pottery or comes to Roswell

Strika said his number one functional 3Dprints are vacuum adapters for different size hoses.

“I’ve 3D-printed more things than I can count,” Strika said. “How do I adapt a 5-inch pipe down to a 2 ½-inch part? It doesn't exist … That's a custom-made part that someone needs to make.”

Strika said many members use Roswell Firelabs as a launching point with prototyping. Some use the shop to sell products on Etsy for a living, he said.

Roswell

is on Holcomb Bridge Road in East Roswell. Classes, which are regularly provided by volunteers, are open to the public. But members, who pay $50 a month, receive them for free or at a discounted price.

Firelabs to work on wood projects. He said nobody has access to the number of tools Roswell Firelabs has.

“You can come over here and pick your project, and you've got something to work with,” Falan said.

Strika personally likes to operate the high-tech stuff, like CNC, or computer numerical controlled, router.

In a demonstration, Strika walked to a nearby computer that has cloud-based software, used to carve designs on a number of different materials.

Roswell Firelabs also has 3D-printing.

Roswell Firelabs has proven functional outside of personal items. Members have built parade floats for the city’s Youth Day Parade, winning first place in the Civic Club Division in 2018 and 2019.

The first year, they built a replica of a 3D-printer that had a gantry, allowing the replica to move. The second year, they built a float that resembled NASA Mission Control. Strika said kids were sitting at desks, pretending to be scientists.

Strika hopes to collaborate more with the city, like making public art installations.

“Since we've actually kind of grown into our own space, we can start focusing outward instead of inward,” Strika said.

Early on, Strika said the board for Roswell Firelabs had to ask questions about how to get enough members to keep the place going.

“And now it's like, how can we help the community more than just what's inside our walls?” Strika said.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Roswell Firelabs Executive Director William Strika stands in front of the nonprofit’s logo Jan. 20 in a corridor connected to the woodworking area. Founded in 2018, Roswell Firelabs promotes community through hands-on experience in a number of hobbies like woodworking, metalworking and 3D-printing.

Firelabs

PBR: The greatest show on dirt

Every one of them don’t walk. They sorta limp/ amble while not working.

Their job is seemingly so simple: Eight seconds. Eight measly seconds can spell the difference between a payday and more pain.

Even the winners grimace, tightlipped as they gingerly head into the bowels of whatever arena they find themselves in on any particular weekend.

In my many years ago days as a sportswriter, I grew to appreciate the sheer brutality of just how physical life on an NFL playing field actually was. The clash of pads escalated at every level of football, from high school to college and finally to the crescendo of on-field NFL battles.

To put it bluntly, to close your eyes on a pro football sideline, sounds like a sickening car crash. And that’s on every play.

But we’re getting away from what I feel I need to impart this week: The riders who make their living on the Professional Bull Riders tour are the

THE INK PENN

toughest athletes in the world.

The PBR Tour made a stop recently in North Georgia, replacing the ice used for hockey with a layer of dirt, no matter how thick, would never provide nearly enough cushion to assuage the sheer fact that there is little give provided to a cowboy who is flung scarily off the back of a 2,000-pound beast who doesn’t want anyone on its back.

The riders wear helmets. The padded protective vests really don’t provide much help but have to be better than nothing.

Accompanied by two Cumming buddies, “Buckshot” Bob Milano and Jon “Hondo” Howard, I got as up-close-and-personal as possible, marveling at the cowboys’ ability to take a gargantuan dose of punishment and walk away, sometime with the aid of the PBR medical staff, back to a locker room that resembles a war-time infirmary.

Forget the Advil. Give me the “good” stuff.

Hondo joked before the show that he was prepared to ride should there be an opening. On the ride home, we Cumming cowboys for the day, tried to process what we had witnessed.

I used to marvel at the skills and toughness of a world-class boxer. The

fight game is a nasty business. But after every bout, the opponents hug and shake hands.

If given the opportunity, these bovine beasts would just as soon, stomp, kick or gore anyone foolish enough to stand in the way.

After getting smacked in the noggin, former World Champion Dener Barbosa was prone in the dirt for several minutes. The 7,000-plus spectators reverently quiet as they hoped for the Brazilian to come to. PBR officials and fellow riders were shown on the arena screen with heads bowed in prayer.

You could have heard a dirt clod drop, the air seemingly sucked out of the building. The biggest roar of approval of the afternoon came when Barbosa was helped on his walk to the locker room.

He traveled back to his Texas home, with no word from the PBR officials as to when he would compete again. Barbosa had just returned to riding, recovering from back surgery that involved 10 screws being utilized to help him in his attempt to regain championship form.

With rodeos scattered around our area (Wills Park and Cumming), with bull-riding being the main event, the

PBR is big-time. Flint Rasmussen, the grease-painted emcee for the day, was a featured guest on ESPN’s College Game Day.

Rasmussen was days shy of his 55th birthday while in Georgia, poised to catch an early-evening flight back to Montana. It’s a marvel to see him work a crowd and keep his material fresh.

“These hallways (under the arena) all look the same and we don’t get a weekend off until May.”

Rasmussen, as personable and accommodating while talking (sans greasepaint) before the event, has a sweet gig.

Never a rider but growing up in a rodeo family, he knows he’ll not do this forever.

He’ll have collected many souvenirs from his PBR days.

Not immune to injuries, Rasmussen, like the riders, will always have his limp. He’ll just have to do it without the greasepaint.

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

The Friends of the Dunwoody Library are at it again

The Friends of the Dunwoody Library are back in a big way, with four sales planned for 2023. In my book, that’s huge news and there’s nothing better than being able to mark my calendar with the sale dates.

• Mar. 23, 24, 25, 27 - Adult sale

• July 28, 29, 31 - Children’s & YA sale

• Sept. 14, 15, 16, 18 - Adult sale

These days, the FODL accepts credit and debit cards in addition to cash. And you can’t beat the prices—$2.00 for most hardbacks and $1.00 for paperbacks. For me, it means I can afford to take a chance on an author I haven’t tried before. And don’t forget that the final Monday of each sale is Bargain Day. What’s

the worst that can happen? I don’t finish a book and I donate it back to the FODL for them to sell again. It’s a win for everyone.

The sales will be held indoors with a maximum of fifty people permitted in the shopping room at any one time, and face masks are encouraged but not required. Should there be a wait to enter the main sale area, you’ll be able to shop for puzzles and DVDs in the library lobby.

If you’re unable to make the sales events, you can visit the library lobby to shop the sales carts during library hours. Located near the donation bins, the carts carry books and DVDs at the same prices you’ll pay at the four events. The only difference is that these purchases are exact cash only, so you’ll want to come prepared. On the other hand, you can always leave a bit extra to support the work of the FODL.

Where does the money go? What

you spend at these sales supports a variety of projects that enhance the library. The FODL was busy last year completing “home improvements” for the library:

• Replaced the wire magazine racks in the lobby with a wooden one

• Replaced the old message board with a new one

• Painted the wall for the hall gallery where you can find Dunwoody Fine Art Association works on display

• Finished up the new tall bookcase which was delayed by what else?

Supply chain issues

The FODL is also taking book donations, and you can drop yours off at the library during normal library operating hours. You can put them in the bins in the lobby. Even boxes of books are accepted, but the FODL requests that you be careful not to block the hallway with these. Do

you need help unloading a car full of books? Visit on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 until noon when there are always volunteers available to help you.

If you’re de-cluttering your house this winter, this could be the perfect time to scan your bookshelves for donations to deliver to the library. The good news is that de-cluttering makes room for new books!

You won’t see me at the Children’s & YA sales, but I hope to run into you at the others. Happy shopping and reading to all!

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody and Bookmiser in East Cobb or on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

KATHY MANOS PENN

Columnist

MIKE TASOS Columnist

Tombstones can tell us stories

A simple tombstone in a small cemetery in Johns Creek marks the final resting place of a young man who died too soon. Ervin O. (Oscar) Jones was killed in the World War II battle of Okinawa at age 20. His tombstone has a portrait of Ervin in his Army uniform, with his garrison cap askew as was often the fashion back then. He looks proud to be serving his country. This is his story together with four sub-stories.

I am indebted to Ed Malowney, president of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society, who took me to visit Ervin’s tombstone. Thanks also to Craig Gleason former coordinator for the Nashville Songwriters Association who interviewed Ervin’s younger brother Curtis, Ervin’s last living sibling, a decade ago.

Ervin was born June 22, 1924, in Alpharetta, the son of H. (Harmon) B. Jones (1898-1983) and Jennie Mae Stapler Jones (1901-1988). His father farmed cotton and corn at the intersection of Jones Bridge Road and Barnwell Road, and Ervin grew up working the land. Growing up on a farm, hunting came naturally to Ervin, and he was known as an excellent shot. He joined the Army on April 10, 1943, at Fort McPherson in East Point near Atlanta, a major recruitment center during the war. He was only 19 years old.

Ervin was sent to the South Pacific in May 1944 and quickly saw action in Saipan and Leyte. The Battle of Saipan, in the Mariana Islands, was a major victory for the United States in June to August 1944. In October, U.S. troops invaded Leyte, 110 miles long with 4,000-foot mountain peaks making it one of the largest Philippine islands. The U.S. won decisively in December.

On April 16, 1945, the 77th U.S. Infantry Division arrived on le Shima, a small island 3 miles off Okinawa where Ervin was assigned to a wire line team laying communication wires to support efforts to capture the important Japanese airbase on the island. What was expected to be a quick and relatively easy operation turned out be six days of living hell for the 6,100 U.S. troops on the island as dug in Japanese soldiers fought to the death and kamikaze pilots wreaked

havoc on US ships offshore. By April 21 when the US troops accomplished their objective, the U.S. had lost 1,155 men killed, including Ervin who was shot on April 17 while singlehandedly trying to attack some Japanese soldiers who had pinned down his platoon.

Sub-story 1. Ernie Pyle was the most acclaimed war correspondent of World War II. He told the war’s story from the points of view of ordinary GIs and won their respect and that of the American public. He spent four years covering the war in North Africa, Italy and France before arriving on le Shima. On April 19, a jeep carrying Pyle and three officers came under fire from a hidden 30 caliber Japanese machine gun. Pyle was shot in the left temple and died instantly two days following the death of Ervin Jones at almost the same spot. Ervin died almost two years after he was sworn into the Army. Sub story 2. Ervin had a dog named Champ, a bulldog mix who was never allowed in the house. When Ervin’s coffin was placed in the liv -

ing room of the farmhouse at Jones Bridge Road and Barnwell Road, Champ barked incessantly and finally broke the screen door get in. He sat defiantly under the coffin and would not let anyone near it for several days until the hearse took it away. Champ followed the hearse 1 mile up Jones Bridge Road to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery and returned every day for the rest of his life to visit Ervin’s gravesite.

Sub story 3. When I visited Ervin’s grave, there were two pennies on top of the tombstone. A coin left on a headstone lets family know that another member of the military stopped by to honor the deceased. In military cemeteries, the coins are collected monthly and used for cemetery upkeep or for charitable reasons. Each type of coin has a special meaning. A penny simply means you visited. A nickel means you and the deceased went through boot camp together. A dime means you and the deceased served together. A quarter means you were with the deceased when the veteran died.

Sub story 4. A decade ago, singer/ songwriter Craig Gleason took his young daughter to visit the small Mount Pleasant Cemetery where Ervin is buried to teach her how cemeteries can help us learn about people who came before us. When he came across Ervin’s marker, he was overcome with emotion as he thought of this longforgotten young man who gave his life for his country. Craig tracked down Ervin’s younger brother Curtis, now deceased, and learned enough about Ervin to compose a song as a tribute to his life. You can listen to his beautiful song by searching YouTube for “The Ballad of Ervin O. Jones.” You can also visit his website www/craiggleason.com.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

PRESERVING THE PAST

CRAIG GLEASON/PROVIDED

Ervin O. Jones and his younger brother Curtis stand on the farm where they grew up where Jones Bridge Road and Barnwell Road meet in Johns Creek.

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

The tombstone marking the final resting place of local resident Ervin O. Jones in Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek. He died in 1945 serving his country on a remote Pacific island during World War ll.

PYLE

NFCC is looking for a full-time executive assistant to support the Executive Director and leadership team.  This person will play a vital role in help keep the NFCC leadership team organized and productive and will interact with the board of directors and other important stakeholder groups. Sensitivity, discretion and attention to detail are a must. Candidate must have a two-year degree, bachelor’s degree preferred and should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience. For a complete job description visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

Client Services Specialist

The full-time Client Services Specialist greets visitors to NFCC and assists them with obtaining services. In addition, this person conducts followup interviews, enters data and may participate in additional follow-up activities.  A high school degree or equivalent is required along with at least one year in customer service or other relevant experience. Discretion and strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish are also required. For a complete job description, please visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

Truck Driver

NFCC needs a reliable driver to work part-time picking up scheduled donations. The person in this role may also assist with facility maintenance and must maintain accurate vehicle maintenance records. It is crucial that they represent NFCC with a professional and friendly demeanor. 1-2 years of box truck delivery experience is preferred. Candidate must maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license and be free of any traffic violations for the past three years.  Work on Saturdays or Sundays may be required occasionally. For a complete job description, please visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

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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.”