Library plans variety of free Black History Month events
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DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Hundreds of dogs found homes when people turned out in droves at DeKalb County Animal Services a week after the shelter announced the animals faced euthanizing if space could not be freed up by Jan. 31.
LifeLine Animal Project, the organization that manages DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services said it needed to remove 150 dogs from the shelter by the end of January. On Jan. 31, the nonprofit said 345 canines had found new or temporary homes. At the Fulton County shelter, 89 dogs found new homes.
LifeLine runs no-kill shelters, but the cramped situation prompted drastic action.
“We’re no-kill shelters, we euthanize less than 10 percent of the animals,” said Timyka Artist, LifeLine Animal Project public relations manager. “This is the first time we’ve had to euthanize for space.”
The DeKalb County shelter, located on Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Chamblee, can hold about 450 dogs. Over the past year, it has housed around 600.
In Fulton County, the situation is worse. The shelter on Marietta Boulevard in Atlanta can hold 85 dogs but has more than 300 in its care. The hallways are lined with crates for the overflow.
“We’ve been at critical capacity for over a year,” Artist said.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — State and Perimeter area leaders took to social media Feb. 5 to denounce an antisemitic flyer distributed in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs over the weekend.
Officials said the flyer, which contained multiple antisemitic messages and slogans, was found on driveways in several Dunwoody and Sandy Springs neighborhoods Sunday morning.
In a message to residents, Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said her city is a diverse community of different faiths, races and ethnicities, which doesn’t tolerate hate speech.
PHOTOS BY DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIAAbove: A crowd fills the halls of DeKalb County Animal Services to adopt and foster dogs Jan. 27 after facility officials announced they would have to euthanize some dogs if the facility could not trim the population by 150 by Jan. 31.
At left: A dog reacts to visitors passing through the halls of DeKalb County Animal Services Jan. 27. See SHELTER, Page 4
“On behalf of the Dunwoody City Council, I want to assure everyone that hateful, divisive, and antisemitic rhetoric has no place here,” Deutsch said. “I stand with our Jewish community and all who face intolerance. I believe that love always conquers hate. Please be good to each other.”
Representatives from both the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs police departments said they are investigating the incidents. Any residents with more information about the flyers are asked to call 911.
See FLYERS, Page 8
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DUNWOODY, Ga. — Five teenagers arrested by Dunwoody police in connection with a spree of local vehicle burglaries have each been charged with more than two dozen felony counts.
Authorities announced Jan. 31 that four 17-year-old suspects from Conyers, Norcross, Stockbridge, and an unidentified 15-year-old, have been charged with multiple felony counts for allegedly burglarizing 23 vehicles at Peachford Hospital and a Dunwoody apartment complex.
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 several suspects “actively” breaking into cars, Sgt. Michael Cheek of the Dunwoody Police Department said.
All five suspects were taken into custody after a brief police chase, Cheek said.
In total, police located 23 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.
off by the other driver while trying to turn right onto Ashford Dunwoody Road, which led to the wreck. She said after the wreck, the occupants of the other vehicle began yelling at her, so she walked the children away and was picked up elsewhere.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police have arrested a 23-year-old Atlanta woman who allegedly fled the scene of a wreck on Ashford Dunwoody Road Jan. 21.
Incident reports said the wreck occurred at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Lake Hearn Drive at about 9 p.m. Jan. 21, when a driver attempted to make a U-turn and rear-ended another vehicle at the intersection.
The victim said after the wreck the suspect parked her vehicle on the side of the road and walked away from the scene northbound on Ashford Dunwoody Road with three juvenile passengers.
Police were able to identify the suspect from her vehicle’s registration but were unable to contact her until the next day when she visited the Dunwoody Police Department to make a statement about the wreck.
The suspect told police that she was cut
After the suspect’s statement, police placed her under arrest for leaving the scene of an accident and following too closely. She was taken to the DeKalb County Jail.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — An employee of the Nordstrom store at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody, who was allegedly hired using a fake name, is suspected of stealing more than $2,000 from the store through fraud in January and December.
Dunwoody police reports said between Dec. 29 and Jan. 13, a Nordstrom employee was captured on camera performing multiple fraudulent returns and transactions, which amounted to $2,069.92.
Police were told that an hour after the suspect’s last fraudulent transaction, the man quit, left the store and has not returned.
While searching for more information about the suspect, police discovered the
Each of the 17-year-old suspects have been charged with 23 counts of theft entering auto, theft by receiving, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm during a felony, criminal trespass, obstruction of police and possession of marijuana.
They are being held at the DeKalb County Jail without bond, jail records show.
The 15-year-old suspect arrested in the incident has also been charged with 23 counts of theft entering auto, theft by receiving and obstruction. Cheek said the juvenile suspect was transported to a regional youth detention center.
man’s name and description did not match the information available in police databases. And when they attempted to locate the address provided to the Nordstrom store when the suspect was hired, they learned it was a vacant property.
At the time of the report, police had not identified a suspect.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A woman who exposed herself at a Dunwoody strip mall Jan. 21 has been arrested for public indecency.
Police reports said officers were called to 4733 Ashford Dunwoody Road at 11:42 a.m. after reports said a woman had exposed herself in front of a nearby store.
An employee for Cost Plus, who witnessed the incident, told police he stepped outside the store, saw a woman relieving herself in the bushes in full view of the public, and called the police.
Once on scene, police located the suspect, a 28-year-old woman from Columbus, Ga., who said she had just woke up and needed to use the bathroom.
Officers arrested the woman for public indecency and transported her to the DeKalb County Jail.
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.
ATLANTA — The formula for funding public schools in Georgia dates back to 1985 when the Legislature passed Quality Based Education. It was considered landmark legislation at a time when schools were funded primarily by local taxes.
QBE determines the cost to educate a full-time, public school student. It uses that figure to calculate how much a district “earns” each year in state funding.
With nearly $11 billion of state revenue budgeted for public schools this year through QBE, getting the formula fully funded and fair is important.
“It’s a plurality of the state budget,” said Stephen Owens, education director at the Georgia Policy and Budget Institute. “But it’s in the [Georgia] constitution as a primary obligation to provide an adequate public education free of charge.”
In developing the “per pupil” cost each year, QBE considers a variety of factors including grade level, teacher staffing and experience, class size, special services, like special education or gifted classes, student-teacher ratio and other direct and indirect costs of education.
While QBE determines how much a school earns in state funding each year, the state’s economy and budget determine how much the school systems actually receive. Since 1985, the QBE has rarely been fully funded, or appropriately adjusted to the current education environment.
Four decades ago when QBE was implemented, technology in classrooms was limited. Students used typewriters to submit papers, phones were still wired to walls, and there were fewer options available for students with unique learning needs. Georgia’s last three governors have made fully funding QBE a priority, but it will take the will of the General Assembly to see it through.
“I look forward to working with the Georgia General Assembly and other partners to strengthen supports and opportunities for students [and] support for public education,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods, who has made funding the QBE a 2023 priority for the Georgia Department of Education.
“We have an enormous opportunity as we move beyond the pandemic to build a public education system that is truly centered on the needs of Georgia students."
In an amended 2023 budget, Gov. Brian Kemp has requested an additional $745 million for schools and proposed more than $1.1 billion to fully fund the QBE formula.
Last year, the Georgia Senate approved a resolution to form the “Senate Study Committee to Review Educational Funding Mechanisms.” Meetings were held across the state last fall to gather input from the public as it looks to address shortfalls in QBE this session.
The five-member committee is tasked with reviewing the “efficacy and sufficiency” of school funding, primarily the QBE, to determine if it is meeting the needs of Georgia’s 1.7 million public school students and 2,300 public schools.
Owens said the QBE formula is working for the most part, but in serious need of review and updates.
“Georgia has one of the fairer funding systems in the nation,” Owens said during a recent media symposium hosted by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. “But it is getting less fair year after year.”
He noted in the recent past Georgia was among the top 10 states in the country for how much money was directed to public schools with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students. Georgia has now dropped to 16, and is one of only six states that does not have targeted funding for students in poverty.
Owens also pointed to the state’s $6.6 billion in surplus revenue above the “rainy day” fund that sits at the discretion of the governor and Legislature.
“So we will all be watching with bated breath on how that money is spent this year [to see if it is used] to increase services for the people of Georgia,” Owens said.
QBE is considered a funding partnership between state and local school boards. Local school districts are expected to contribute revenues equal to five mills on the property tax digest to the school system – whether they actually assess it or not. This is referred to as the Local Five Mill Share.
This local share is calculated for each county, then subtracted from the QBE formula before state dollars are allocated. According to the Georgia Department of Education, the Local Five Mill Share in FY2021 equaled $2 billion of funds deducted from QBE. This is the equivalent of $1,176 per student earned but not provided by state funds.
For less wealthy districts with low property values and limited tax revenues, the state provides most of the school funding, and offers “equalization grants” to cover some of the gaps. For wealthier counties with high property values, local taxes still fund the majority of public education.
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LifeLine tried other solutions to help with overcrowding, like opening a pop-up dog adoption center on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta to relocate some of the Fulton County dogs. It also cut adoption costs to $23 for all of January, which covered vaccination, spay/neuter and microchip fees valued at $250.
The measures helped, but not enough to offset low adoption numbers and an overwhelmed staff. DeKalb County Animal Shelter Director Kerry Moyers-Horton said the facility typically has one staff member doing animal care and feeding for 75 dogs, and that still leaves many animals without adequate care.
“It’s not good for the dogs, they’re not benefitting from it,” Moyers-Horton said.
Public relations manager Artist said adoptions are down 31 percent from last year.
“We’re not taking in any more, but people aren’t adopting,” Artist said.
The organization said the reason for the dropoff could be economic hardship, with people’s budgets tightening and little extra cash left for high pet care costs. LifeLine officials also point to housing as a limitation because many apartment complexes have strict restrictions on pets and breed types. The shelters are left with primarily large dogs, unable to be adopted or fostered by people living under strict housing regulations.
Earlier this year, a strain of canine flu ripped through the shelters, further complicating the situation. There was no space to properly quarantine the infected dogs, and they could not be sent out to foster homes with existing pets for fear of spreading the illness.
DeKalb resident Melissa Laboy said she tried to foster from the shelter months ago, but she was turned away because of the
risk of canine flu to her dog at home.
When she saw the shelter’s call for fosters before the Jan. 31 deadline, she decided to remind the shelter she was available.
“I was like, ‘Hey, I still want to do this!’” Laboy said.
The shelter let Laboy foster a dog, and she took home Gigi on Jan. 27.
Meanwhile, a pair of young boys peered through the glass to look at one dog, declaring they wanted a girl. They liked the one named Majorette, a large white and brown spotted dog the shelter described as athletic and affectionate.
Moyer-Horton said the community “really rallied around” the shelter once it announced the deadline. On Jan. 26, 300 people came in looking to foster or adopt. The next day, two hours before closing, 181 people dropped in.
In seven days, the DeKalb County shelter’s canine population dropped from 593 to 312. Support for the shelter expanded beyond its doors and into the community, with other organizations signal-boosting the calls for adoption. Atlanta Lab Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to finding homes for large breed Labrador Retrievers offered to pay for a group training class for dogs adopted from the shelter before the deadline.
Cortland, a company that manages apartment complexes in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Roswell offered to waive pet fees for residents who adopt from LifeLine Animal Project.
The outpouring of support keeps Moyers-Horton positive, but she doesn’t want people to ease up.
“We are making progress, but we’ll fill up again in weeks if we don’t keep these numbers going,” Moyers-Horton said.
DeKalb County Animal Services can be contacted at 404-294-2996 or at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Chamblee. Fulton County Animal Services can be contacted at 404-613-0358 or at 860 Marietta Blvd NW in Atlanta.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Jeff Wright worked at Alpharetta Outfitters for more than 10 years before he bought the business in December. He began work there in 2010 as a new college graduate and worked his way up until he decided to purchase the shop from its founder.
The ownership has changed, but Wright wants customers to know “the spirit of the shop remains.”
Today, Alpharetta Outfitters on Main Street is a full-service fly fishing destination. The retail store offers a variety of gear from Yeti cups to fishing rods. It also hosts fly fishing excursions, guided trips and community events.
Wright has been with the business from nearly the start. The store opened in 2009, and he hired on a year later. He majored in biology in college, but originally planned to pursue a career in dentistry or nursing. At Alpharetta Outfitters, Wright realized a desk job wasn’t for him.
“I needed to kind of be able to move around and talk with people,” Wright said.
He loved fly fishing, a hobby he practiced with his father. Wright also cared
deeply about water health and natural resources. Together, his interests created a “perfect storm,” and Wright knew he would be at Alpharetta Outfitters for the long haul.
The business looked different when it began. Chuck Palmer, the founder and original owner, sold all kinds of outdoor equipment, like backpacking gear, hammocks and fly fishing supplies.
As similar businesses popped up
around Alpharetta, the store shifted focus.
“We decided to go ahead and specialize with larger businesses coming in town, like REI,” Wright said. “We needed to branch away from that kind of (shop).”
The store doubled down on fly fishing, becoming a one-stop shop offering trips, equipment and events like “Bugs and Suds,” a fly-tying night when the store serves pizza and beer. Wright said the decision made sense, because Alpharetta had an interested and affluent customer base.
“People that are going fly fishing typically have some disposable income,” Wright said. “Its not a cheap hobby.”
In Alpharetta, where the store has most of its customers, the average household income is about $119,000, according to U.S. census data.
Wright said a beginner can buy the necessary equipment for a few hundred dollars, but the higher-end pieces and additional gear can add up to the thousands. A single fishing rod can range from $200$1,000.
“A lot of guys get into it and love getting gear, and they’re fine spending money on higher-end stuff,” Wright said.
The costs increase with things like guided trips and excursions.
AlpharettaOutfitters offers trips to Idaho, Alaska, Patagonia, Argentina and Belize. Wright said the trips can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $9,000, depending on the destination.
Alpharetta Outfitters spent 12 years in business operating on a different business model than most shops of its kind. Palmer founded the store as a “not-for-profit” business.
After expenses were covered, any additional income the store brought in was donated to organizations and individuals. One year, the store gave $1,000 to an organization or person in need every day of December.
When Wright bought the store, he knew the model would change.
“I don’t have pockets as deep as Chuck,” Wright joked.
The store moved to a for-profit model at the start of 2023, but Wright said he will continue to donate to charitable organizations at a smaller level.
A key focus for Wright is the preservation of the “natural treasures” in the environment around Alpharetta Outfitters. The store sponsors organizations in the area, including Upper Chattahoochee Trout Unlimited.
Wright said the store also donates to specific environmental projects the organization does, like its work on Crayfish Creek, the first feeder stream on the Chattahoochee River.
Alpharetta Outfitters donated $5,000 help reduce silt that comes into the streams from nearby development. The silt coats the rocks on the creek floor, which trout need to spawn.
The contributions are about protecting natural resources, but water health also helps the business. The better shape the streams and rivers are in, the easier it is to catch a prize trout.
“Trout don’t survive well in warm, stagnant water and polluted water, so they’re a pretty good indicator of general water health,” Wright said.
The store owner hopes his work on natural resources will raise awareness, especially for his customer base. Wright said when people get out in the field, they notice their environment more, and ask questions about its condition.
“They start to kind of understand their resources, what’s at stake and how to get involved,” Wright said.
In the future, Wright hopes to expand the store to create a dedicated community space for events, where people can hang out and share their love for fishing.
“Those bonds that are created at those events and on those trips, they’re so fun,” Wright said. “You see these guards drop, and you see these men and women really ultimately having fun and enjoying each other.”
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Act3 Productions in Sandy Springs will kick off a new year of performances Friday, Feb. 17, with the musical, “Little Women.”
The beloved coming-of-age story by Louisa May Alcott will be presented over three weekends through Sunday, March 5, showcasing a cast of veteran and new actors with Act3 Productions.
The musical tells the story of four sisters and their mother, as they navigate, “life and love” during the Civil War.
“After what we’ve all been through the past few years, I think audiences will strongly relate to the story of how the March family draws strength from each other as they face the anxiety and uncertainty of wartime and the absence of Mr. March,” Act3 Artistic Director Zachary Stutts said. “Their situation parallels many of the challenges we all faced as the pandemic disrupted our lives. I believe the play’s message of maintaining hope and finding joy in family and the small, everyday moments is ideal for our time.”
Music for this production will feature lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Jason Howland.
Showings of the play will be presented at the Act3 Playhouse, 6285-R Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, and will feature several different showing times throughout its run.
The play is suitable for all audiences,
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said that if needed, state law enforcement is
ACT3 PRODUCTIONS/PROVIDED
Act3 veteran actor Lauren Tully plays Aunt March in a musical production of “Little Women” while Kayla Perry plays Jo March for her Act3 debut. Act3 Productions will kick off 2023 with several productions of the musical, starting Feb. 17.
officials said.
For ticket sales, showing times and more information, visit www.act3productions.org.
ready to assist with the investigation of the incident.
“This kind of hate has no place in our state and the individuals responsible do not share Georgia’s values,” Kemp said. “We will always condemn acts of antisemitism.”
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Public Library will host more than 30 free events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month, including movie nights, live theater and take-home crafts.
The programs will be hosted at various DeKalb County libraries and are free to the public. Some events will require registration. To register, visit dekalblibrary.org.
DANCE COMPANY
What: An all-ages rhythmic performance celebrating West African culture and heritage with stories, drums, songs and dance.
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m.
Where: Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur
BREAKING GROUND
What: A one-man family-friendly show about five African American men who had to “break down barriers to achieve greatness.” The show spotlights historic figures Alex Johnson, Bass Reeves, George Washington Carver, Commander General Benjamin O. Davis and Satchel Paige.
Presented by Jerry G. White, the show includes theater, music, percussion and songs.
When: Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.
Where: Northlake-Barbara Loar Library, 3772 Lavista Road, Tucker
What: A film screening put on in partnership with DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson. The movie spotlights Marvin Arrington, Sr. an African American judge who was president of the Atlanta City Council for 17 years. Lunch is included in the screening and registration is required.
When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.
Where: South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Road, Decatur
CALVIN COUTHER EXHIBIT
What: Throughout February, the works of artist Calvin Couther will be on display at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library. Couther’s watercolor and acrylic paintings reflect a part of American life from the late 1800s to mid-1900s.
When: Throughout February
Where: Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatu
What: Black History Month collaborative poster craft kits will be available at the children’s desk of the Hairston Crossing Library from Feb. 1-Feb. 11.
When: Feb. 1-Feb. 11
Where: Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain
What: Adults and senior citizens can learn the history and traditions of soul food cuisine while eating samples of the food.
When: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m.
Where: Northlake-Barbara Loar Library, 3772 Lavista Road, Tucker
What: Teenagers, adults and senior citizens can grab a Black History Month Trivia Challenge at the Wesley Chapel Library’s Circulation Desk to take home. Participants must return their answers by Tuesday, Feb. 28. The most correct answers will win a prize.
When: Event opens Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. and closes Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.
Where: Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown
It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people, whether online, through our newsletters or in the Crier and Herald newspapers.
To promote your event, follow these easy steps:
1. Visit AppenMedia.com/Calendar;
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Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. The DeKalb History Center will also host a Black History Month celebration in February. The center sold out of tickets for its 15th annual celebration The Feb. 9 program, Black Church Music: A soulstirring history, will play gospel music and talk about the role it has in Georgia.
While February brings thoughts of those we love and Valentine’s Day cards, the best gift of all is to remember it’s also American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for those over age 65 and is still the leading cause of death in this country. Over 800,000 deaths a year are due to cardiovascular disease. The good news is it’s largely preventable, so let’s review how to improve and maintain your heart health.
Monitoring your blood pressure is a key indicator of where you stand with your heart health. Yet only 48 per cent of people aged 50 to 80 who take medication or have a health condition affected by high blood pressure (or hypertension) monitor it on a regular basis. Preventing hypertension lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke. So setting a regular schedule and getting a blood pressure monitor you can learn to use at home is the start of knowing the numbers for your heart health journey.
Eating a healthy diet with a variety of food with potassium, fiber, protein, and importantly is lower in salt is critical. Flavor your food using more spices, eat salads and steamed vegetables. Select grilled poultry or fish and avoid heavy sauces, salad dressings and fats. This will help you get to or keep a healthy weight.
Staying physically active and reducing stress comes next. Moderate walking or other forms of physical exercise can do wonders. While 150 minutes of moderate activity a week is recommended, be sure to check with your doctor about forming
a personalized plan of action and regular visits that are right for your current health status. Social isolation can also impact your stress levels, so staying in touch with friends, community groups and family is an important part of the picture.
Sleep is emerging as an ever increasing factor in heart health. It keeps your blood vessels healthy, and not getting enough sleep on a regular basis correlate to increased rates of stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease. Aim for a regular schedule and seven to eight hours of sleep.
Stop smoking and be careful about alcohol consumption for a healthy heart. So, if this is an issue, monitor your use and start a plan to cut back.
At Home Helpers, we know how important a skilled and well-matched Caregiver is to helping an older loved one maintain their heart health. Whether it’s making sure a moderate walk can be done without fear of a fall risk, regularly monitoring blood pressure and vital signs, following a nutritious diet, keeping a regular sleep schedule, or creating social bonds to battle loneliness, we strive to make each day the best it can be.
Our heart centered Caregivers can assist with all personal care, help around the house, safely speed up recovery from surgery, or provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, etc.
We’re here to help - from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 and livein care. For a free consultation contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs today at (770) 6810323.
It’s time to focus on heart health
Have you ever been to the dentist and the dentist needs to take an impression of your mouth? If you have done this before, you may have just taken a deep breath and started to get nervous. Traditional impressions have always involved a large tray loaded with impression material (goop!?!) that must be inserted into your mouth to make a mold of your teeth. Isn’t there a better way? Yes! The latest technology now allows your dentist to take a digital impression instead. Digital impressions (also called 3-D intraoral scanning) construct a three-dimensional digital model of your teeth and your entire mouth. Digital impressions are less messy and more pleasant than traditional impressions. Patients with a gag reflex or sensitive teeth have a better, more comfortable experience. A small (radiation-free) laser wand takes a series of images of your teeth and your gums and stitches them together into a 3-D virtual model of your mouth. You can immediately touch the screen and rotate and adjust the image to see your teeth from all angles. You very likely have
never seen your teeth and your mouth like this. It’s amazing!
The Atlanta Center for Dental Health has the iTero Element intraoral scanner imaging system. The 3-D model of your mouth is immediately on the IPadlike screen right beside you. It can immediately be adjusted and looked at from all angles. This image can be uploaded to the dental laboratory for
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see a Smile Simulation. In about a minute, your dentist can show you what your smile would look like if you straightened your teeth or improved your bite with clear aligners, like Invisalign™. Again, you can touch the screen so that you can see your smile from all angles. Dr. Hepler and Dr. Priluck at the Atlanta Center for Health would love to show this technology. Please call or stop by for a quick no cost Smile Simulation of your very own. i
“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic
Dr. Bradley Hepler, Dr. Jeffrey Priluck and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in cosmetic dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover your options, please call us at 770-9922236. Dr. Hepler and Dr. Priluck are highly trained and certified to provide you with the latest and best techniques to allow you to achieve your cosmetic and restorative goals.
Brought to you by - Ryan Wilson, MD, interventional and structural heart cardiologist at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
Now that the holidays are over and people are getting back into their regular routines, it’s time to focus on Heart Month, which is observed each February.
The importance of heart health cannot be understated since heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States each year. In 2020, nearly 700,000 people died from heart-related diseases. That is more deaths than all cancers combined or COVID-19 related illnesses. Heart disease
is a largely preventable problem in many circumstances.
Prevention is always our primary focus when it comes to heart disease. Your risk of heart-related disease can be significantly reduced if you focus on some of these key areas in your life:
• Don’t smoke, and if you do smoke or use other tobacco products, seriously consider quitting. This is one of the most serious risk factors. If you are ready to quit, please contact your healthcare provider for assistance. There are patches, gums and medications that can help you quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Reducing your weight into a healthy category can significantly lower your risk of heart disease.
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, follow up with your healthcare provider regularly to make
sure this is controlled. If you don’t have high blood pressure, get checked intermittently.
• Maintain healthy cholesterol levels and a low-fat diet. If you have high cholesterol already, make sure you are getting regular blood work to ensure your treatment is working. If you don’t have high cholesterol, continue to focus on a healthy diet and lifestyle. Try to avoid fried foods with lots of butter, fat and grease, which is where a lot of cholesterol comes from.
If you already have heart disease, it’s important to follow up regularly with your cardiologist to ensure we are doing everything possible to minimize the progression of disease and prevent any major problems like a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease can often be managed with medications and lifestyle modifications.
If you ever have symptoms such as ongoing chest pain/pressure, new onset of significant shortness of breath, excessive sweating or nausea associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, severe dizziness or heart racing (palpitations), call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.
If you have more mild symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to get diagnostic testing done. If you are ever in doubt, check it out.
Dr. Ryan Wilson is a cardiovascular disease specialist with Wellstar Health System. He specializes in heart and vascular interventions and treats patients with structural heart and valve conditions. To make an appointment with Dr. Wilson at his office on the campus of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, call (770) 410-4520. To make an appointment at his office at Wellstar Avalon Health Park, call (470) 2670430.
to you by
- Will Goodwin, Licensed Associate Professional Counselor at Summit Counseling CenterWith the beginning of a new year well underway and the somewhat cliché mantra of “New year, new you!” still ringing in the air, many of us are starting to look around and wonder what has really changed. The problem with this phrase is that it often implies that there must be a complete and total change - whether in our habits, our work, or even in our relationships. However, you may not need a complete relationship renovation. Instead, perhaps a simple “refreshing” in some areas that have grown stagnant or mundane might be the appropriate course to take. Just like the warmth and satisfaction that can come from simply rearranging or reorganizing a space, your relationship can be revitalized as well. Here are five ways to breathe some new life into your established routines:
1. Strive to Surprise. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from knowing one another’s habits, tendencies, and preferences. However, this capacity for anticipating what to expect from one another can also promote boredom, complacency, and indifference. Going out of your way to gift little surprises to one another can be a way to spark those feelings you shared back when you were first discovering each other. It could be preparing their favorite dish, treating them to their favorite hot or cold beverage/ snack, cleaning their car and filling up the gas tank, or arranging a date if you don’t typically plan them. Whatever you choose, choose to make it a surprise.
2. Reassess Your Roles. While knowing “who does what” can simplify and streamline the management of household chores and responsibilities in a way that sets up a relationship for success, it can also create ruts. As change enters our lives, we may grow to dread a task or
become overwhelmed by it. Talk to one another about these shifts and consider switching things around. If possible, team up on tasks and responsibilities that you previously did alone. You may surprise yourselves one day by discovering that you feel eager and excited about a chore because you know it is a chance to spend time together.
3. Freshen Up Your Look. Of course, no one is saying that the way someone looks is the most important
feature about them. However, there is value to be acknowledged in continuing to make an effort, no matter how long you have been in a relationship. Perhaps you could trim your beard or experiment with a new hairstyle. Maybe showcase an outfit that feels fun and playful, paint your nails, or try out a new accessory. You may feel that you have already “sealed the deal,” but that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t continue to garner your partner’s interest.
4. Spend Time Apart. Though this may seem counterproductive, it can, at certain points and for certain lengths of time, play a vital part in enriching your time together. By reserving some time for both of you to “do your own thing,” you can eagerly return to one another feeling recharged mentally, emotionally, and relationally – and feeling ready to reconnect.
5. Swap Out the Usual. Sometimes exchanging a common experience for an uncommon one can really do the trick when it comes to re-energizing your relationship routines. Collaborate to pick
something you routinely do together and trade it out for something new. If you tend to rely heavily on watching tv shows, try exchanging that screen time for some kind of face-to-face engagement (board/card game, reading together, go for a walk/ exercise). This exchange doesn’t need to be a total or permanent removal of watching tv together, but changing things up from time to time can create some healthy variety and novelty.
Many times the act of rearranging furniture or replacing just a few items, as opposed to a total overhaul, can give a space a new lease on life. In a parallel sense, your relationship may simply require some minor adjustments to bring life flowing back into your various shared experiences.
Whether your relationship is on the rocks or rock solid, all couples can benefit from therapy - and the therapists at Summit Counseling Center are here to help! We see couples involved in every stage of a relationship and assist them in finding harmony and balance in their lives together. To learn more about our services, meet our therapists, and schedule an appointment, visit our website at www. summitcounseling.org.
Each week, our newsroom will hide this shopping cart image in the newspaper. Once you find it, visit appenmedia.com/shoppingspree and enter
1) Your name
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!
Howard and Hilbert Margol served in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division during World War II. The twin brothers were born in 1924 in Jacksonville, Florida.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF ColumnistIn 1942, they began attending the University of Florida and joined the ROTC.
They joined an Army Reserve unit in October 1942 and were called to active duty on April 3, 1943, reporting to Camp Blanding, Florida. After basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, they were offered the opportunity to attend officer training, but turned it down anticipating it would mean separation.
Then, the brothers were sent to The Citadel in South Carolina to take engineering courses as part of the Army Specialized Training Program. After a few months at Syracuse University, followed by a few at the University of Illinois, the Army decided to cancel the program. This meant thousands of young soldiers could be sent to various Infantry divisions for combat training.
The brothers were separated when Hilbert was sent to Camp Gruber in Oklahoma and Howard went to the Mojave Desert in California. Their mother wrote to President Roosevelt requesting her sons be reunited and serve together.
The brothers were reunited and in January of 1945 boarded a ship for Marseilles, France. The 42nd Infantry were liberators of Dachau Concentration Camp in April 1945. Hilbert shared this history with me in February of 2021, which can be found at appenmedia.com. It was an emotional experience for the Jewish brothers; however, Howard said the following incident was more emotional for him.
Following the liberation of Dachau and after the European war ended May 8, 1945, both brothers were in Munich, Germany, close to the Austrian border. Once again, they were separated although both performing duties as part of the occupation.
Howard was part of a group that moved former Jewish prisoners of the Ebensee Concentration Camp to a Displaced Persons Camp at Bad Gastein. Some 150 vehicles were used to make the trip to the Austrian spa and ski town in the High Tauern mountains of Salzburg, Austria.
On the trip to Bad Gastein, sundown approached on a Friday evening and the former prisoners came to a stop and refused to go further. They said it was the start of the Sabbath. Although their destination was a fancy hotel where hot food, hot baths, and clean clothes awaited, they wanted to stop along the road. After having
been deprived of the ability to practice their religion for so long, they finally had freedom and wanted to observe the Sabbath.
From sunset Friday until sunset Saturday, the procession came to a stop. A camp was set up along the road, and food and supplies were brought to the location.
In the July-August 2013 issue of The Jewish Georgian, Howard Margol said, “For years, the Jews in that group of survivors were not allowed to practice their Judaism.” Their faith “gave them something to hold on to, to look forward to and a way to survive against all odds. I think it was also their way of showing that they won, and Hitler lost.”
There was a period of adjustment when they arrived at Bad Gastein. It had been a
long time since they had freedom, food and a bed.
During the war, Bad Gastein was used for convalescing German soldiers. In addition to housing Jews who had been imprisoned at Ebensee, the former spa was also used for soldiers of the 42nd Infantry to rest and recover as well as for the football squad to train.
In early August, 1945, the U.S. Army decided that every division remaining in Europe would form a football team to promote morale. Hilbert Margol applied to be on the team and was accepted. He was transported to Bad Gastein to begin training.
Another detail the 42nd Infantry was assigned to guard SS prisoners in a former Austrian Army stockade. The prisoners were taken to nearby forests almost every day to chop down trees for use by civilian and military facilities.
After the last football game, Hilbert Margol returned to his gun battery near Salzburg, Austria, and reunited with Howard. They enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner at an old monastery that would be their home for a while.
The brothers returned to the U.S. on the same ship in March 1946.
Hilbert Margol will present the story of his brother Howard’s experiences following the end of World War II in Europe, as well as some of his own memories at the next Atlanta WWII Round Table meeting. The meeting takes place Feb. 18 at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Visit atlantawwiiroundtable.org for more information, including how to reserve a place at this event.
Hilbert Margol has fittingly named his presentation “Riding To Freedom” and will share the story of his brother, Howard, who died Feb. 9, 2017.
I’m an avid reader and can’t say that I have a preference, but I hear that many folks do. When I was a new cozy mystery author, I was advised that cozy fans were series addicts and wouldn’t pick up Book I unless they knew several more books were available in the series. Me? I’ll happily grab any book whose description appeals to me.
As for reading a series, when I find one I like, I don’t binge-read it. Instead, I space out the books and return to the series time and time again. Perhaps I find that easy to do because years ago, many authors only put out one book a year, so I’m accustomed to waiting. Whatever the reason, there are several series that I follow, and I’ll be hugely disappointed when they run out.
Clare Ferguson/Russ Van Alstyne series by Julia Spencer-FlemingI discovered this series last year and
Book I, “In the Bleak Midwinter,” in the library. A reading friend lent me several more, and they sat on my bookshelf for me to pick up whenever the mood struck. I’m not sure what happened, but when I picked up Book VI a few weeks ago, I couldn’t stop there. I turned the last page and moved on to Book VII, the last on my bookshelf. Before I knew it, I’d ordered Book VIII from the library, and I’m now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the email that says, “Come by to get Book IX,” the last one in the series. I’ve got my fingers crossed that there are more coming.
Clare Ferguson is an Episcopal priest and Russ Van Alstyne is the sheriff in Millers Kill, NY, where the books take place. The mysteries are well-plotted and intriguing, but I read the novels more for the evolving relationships in small-town America than for anything else.
Though I’ll tell you that you can pick up anywhere in the series I write, this is one series I strongly recommend you start from the beginning. You just don't want to miss any of the twists and turns and witty conversations among the cast of charac-
ters. Warning: If you start somewhere in the middle, you will find yourself searching for Book One soon after!
“The Woman in the Library” by Sulari Gentill
This mystery is a standalone novel. What a fascinating story within a story. Four people are sitting at a library table in Boston when they hear a scream. What transpires from there is one story, a mystery as to who screamed and why. Is someone hurt? Was someone killed? If someone was killed, whodunit?
And then there's the other story--that of an author sharing bits of her book with a beta reader, perhaps a fan, who gives her feedback. That concerns the relationship that develops between them--long distance.
I was intrigued by both and was especially hooked on the tale of the library foursome because one of them is an aspiring writer who uses her new-found friends as characters in her book. She has a neighbor who is also a writer, and I was struck by his opinion that all stories are romances at heart--though I disagree with that premise.
To me, all stories are mysteries at heart-perhaps not about murders or crimes but instead the mystery of relationships-friends, family, and co-workers. It's always a mystery as to how those relationships will turn out.
The author built interesting backstories for the characters, and I couldn't put the book down until I knew whodunit and why. As the story unwound, I suspected all four from the library as well as the neighbor. I predict you'll be as surprised as I was.
If you’re looking for a mystery to while away the winter hours, either a series or a singleton, I suggest you try one of these.
PS. Are you in a book club? If so, I’d be happy to visit and talk about my series.
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/.
Seven companies provided kit houses, but Sears Roebuck was by far the largest. As an alternative to the purchase of a complete kit, customers could buy house plans and use local lumber to build the homes.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
Sears Roebuck was founded in 1886 as a seller of watches by mail order. It has undergone many changes over the ensuing decades, but one of its most ambitious undertakings was the sale of house kits by mail order catalog.
Sears claims to have sold more than 100,000 mail order homes in North America between 1908 and 1940 via their Modern Homes program. During that period. Sears designed 447 different home styles, each of which could be modified by a purchaser, thus creating an infinite number of unique homes. Depression era mortgage loan defaults and pre-World War II shortages of lumber and other building materials forced closure of the business. Some estimates are that up to 70 percent of the Sears houses are still standing, but no one knows for sure where the houses are because Sears destroyed the sales records during a corporate housekeeping. There are ways to determine if a given house is from a Sears kit, such as identifying stamps on the lumber.
One of the best-known homes in Alpharetta from that era is found at 112 Cumming Street. The most common and accepted version of its origin is that B.F. (Benjamin Franklin) Shirley (1879--1963) built the Queen Anne style home from a plan purchased in 1908 from a Sears Roebuck catalog. Shipping a complete kit from the factory to Marietta by train and then hauling the lumber over dirt roads to Alpharetta posed many challenges and B.F. Shirley would have used local lumber for the project.
However, according to a July 1999 article in the Atlanta Constitution, “Right out of the Sears catalog,” the cost of the home was less than $1,000 including shipping and construction of a complete Sears house. In 1911 two other possible Sears houses were built nearby. B.F. Shirley’s brother Obadiah built a house next door, and Sherman Gardner built a house across the street.
According to another version based on research and a book by Fred Shirley of Alpharetta, now deceased,
the house was built by his great-great grandfather John Franklin Shirley (1841-1906), a Civil War veteran who became a successful farmer after the war, accumulating 1,000 acres. He built several family homes on his property plus three tenant houses, a cotton gin and two sawmills. To build the house he used lumber cut from his property and processed in his sawmills. He moved his family and mother into the Cumming Street house prior to 1905, according to Fred who noted that it later became the headquarters of the Alpharetta Women’s Club.
It is interesting to note that John Franklin Shirley’s father was named Benjamin Shirley and that John had a son named Benjamin Franklin Shirley which may be the cause of some confusion.
The Alpharetta Women’s Club, founded during World War II, purchased the Shirley home in 1962 and used it as its headquarters. It held fundraisers to pay off a bank loan signed for by three of the ladies’ husbands, Troy Carroll of Carroll Realty, Louie Jones, owner of a funeral home, and Q.A. Wills, mayor of Alpharetta and business owner. The club paid off the loan in 1969. Fulton County Bank President, William Barrett presented the club with a silver tea
service from the bank. The club had about 30 members at its peak. The women had a favorite charity, Tallulah Falls School, founded in 1909 with 29 mountain children. Located in the town of Tallulah Falls, Georgia, the school serves 500 students today.
The club took an active role in 1965 to establish a permanent library in Alpharetta. Up to that time, the city was serviced by a bookmobile which came to town every other Wednesday afternoon.
The club was a social and community services organization, but over the years membership dwindled and it eventually closed. Former club Vice President Vespa B. Smith says “the Alpharetta Women’s Club was an integral part of the community for decades.”
Postscript: The house was sold in 2017 and is being restored and renovated.
Special thanks to two outstanding local historians, Ed Malowney and Connie Mashburn for their help with this column.
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.
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/
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/
FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST for Dunwoody chiropractic office. 3PM-6PM, 4 days/week. Computer skills necessary. seidart@aol.com
Part-time & Full-time positions available. Pay is $12-$14 per hour. Hours starting at 6:30AM, Monday-Friday. Pick-up truck not required but must have your own reliable transportation. Gas allowance provided. Looking for people who enjoy working outside and are enthusiastic, dependable & punctual. Able to contribute independently or on a crew with consistently friendly attitude.
Well-established commercial pool maintenance company providing service in the North Atlanta Metro area.
Call Bill: 404-245-9396