An early spring walk in the woods

I like to rise early in the beginning of March, when you can feel in your bones (especially my old bones) that spring is just around the corner.

The early morning sky is pink and blue, and the temperature is in the 50s. This is my favorite time of year, the new beginning. Winter is past and everything is fresh again.

And this is the time to begin my search of the spring ephemeral wildflowers. Spring ephemerals are plants that emerge early in spring before the trees put out their leaves and block the sunlight, live for a few short weeks, then die back to the ground to do it all over again the next year.

Usually, the first of these is the Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum, so named because its spotted leaves are reminiscent of a spotted trout. It adapts to variable changes in temperature by closing its flowers’ beautiful, yellow petals at night, thus protecting its ability to produce seeds.

Bloodroot, Sanguinari candensis, is another early emerger. The white flower sometimes appears before the leaves. If you break the stem of the Bloodroot, the inside is red. When I was young, this was growing in the woods of the property we were living on in Sandy Springs and is the plant that sparked my interest in wildflowers.

A very delicate looking flower, the Rue Anemone, Thalictrum thalictroides, is another early one. Its flowers range from white to pale pink, dancing in the slightest breeze.

When I lived in Atlanta, the Sweet Betsy Trillium, Trillium cuneatum, was the first harbinger of Spring in my garden.

These are just a few of the early wildflowers. If you are interested in learning more about a variety of spring wildflowers, when to observe their peak blooming times, their growth requirements, and places we can visit locally to experience the beauty and enjoyment of wildflowers, please join Carole MacMullan and me for a virtual

About the Author

talk on wildflowers on Sunday, March 5 at 2:00 pm EST. To assure your place in this first class in the Spring 2023 Gardening Lecture Series presented by the North Fulton Master Gardeners, “A Walk in the Woods with Spring Wildflowers - Observing the Beauty of Nature,” please register at https://bit.ly/Spring2023NFMG-GardeningLectureSeries. The class will also be available for later viewing on the NFMG YouTube channel at https://www.youtube. com/northfultonmastergardeners.

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Judy Peacock. Judy grew up in Norcross when it was still a small, rural town and spent many days playing in the fields and woods. Her mother was a wonderful gardener and could grow almost anything from a cutting. She taught Judy to identify trees and plants. As a child Judy would gather flowers and create small arrangements of violets and daffodils. Judy attended UGA and majored in Art Education. She loved Botany classes and spent a lot of time in the Founders Garden and the university greenhouses. After graduation, she rented a cottage in Sandy Springs in the middle of 40 acres, exploring the creek and woods, identifying wildflowers and started her first herb garden. Later, Judy bought a house and again grew herbs and began taking care of the plants that were part of the old garden on the property. She began to make flower arrangements for friends’ weddings and work events. After working full time for 28 years, Judy retired and become a Master Gardener and now shares her love of plants and the natural world through her volunteer work with the North Fulton Master Gardeners.

Trout Lily

For more information

Check out the following University of Georgia Extension publications:

•Wildflowers Bulletin 987-3

•Establishing a Wildflower Meadow

Location:

Continued from Page 21

Cloudland Coffee Company is about a mile down State Bridge Road.

Kristina Madh, owner of Cloudland and a Johns Creek resident, said her business already struggles in retail and competes with Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks and PJ’s in the same area.

Most profit comes from wholesale, Madh said, and much of it is spent on advertising and promotion.

Signage has been an issue for Madh, who said she has gone back and forth with the City of Johns Creek. Cloudland Coffee Company is tucked away into a strip mall, which makes it difficult for potential customers to see the business.

“If they do approve [the rezoning], it isn’t really reflecting how [the city] tries to portray themselves as a small town, a small city,” Madh said.

Ben Song, Johns Creek community development director, said when it comes to zoning, the city is in the business of land use, guided by its Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance.

“We’re totally about the free market, right?” Song asked.

Potential businesses should perform due diligence, Song said, and determine who their competitors are and if they have a sustainable business model.

Tim Hortons is permitted in the C-1, or community business, zoning district, which holds the .84-acre parcel. Song said the rezoning process is necessary to remove the site’s old zoning conditions attached to a retail space, and new conditions would be added as the development goes through the rezoning process.

Bob Mullen, Johns Creek communications director, said the city wants thriving small businesses, as well as thriving large businesses.

“I don’t think there’s a reason that they wouldn’t want all sorts of allowable businesses to come into Johns Creek,” Mullen said.

Site revisions

So far, Khutliwala has submitted two site plans for the development in the rezoning process. Khutliwala prepared the second plan in hopes of mitigating resident concern.

The first site plan for Tim Hortons included a 1,610-square foot building with one drive-thru lane, connected to Abberley’s private road using the easement.

While the drive-thru still uses the easement in the new plan, Khutliwala and the engineering team has decreased the size of the building to 888 square feet to allow for two drive-thru lanes, intended to reduce traffic.

With the revision, the number of trips per day have decreased from a projected 859 trips to 238. Khutliwala said he is going further to conduct a traffic study, using a nearby Starbucks.

In the original site plan, the board was set to be posted at the back of the building, adjacent to the Abberley townhomes.

To mitigate noise, the new draft moves the menu board to the side of the building. It also calls for a brick wall, situated in front of the townhomes to act as a noise barrier. Currently, a wooden fence and a line of large trees separate the homes and the parcel.

In discussions with his lawyer, Khutliwala said the idea of blocking the easement at Abberley Lane had come up as a potential solution, but because the easement is used by many businesses, he would not have the right to block the entry point.

The easement is part of a private agreement that dates to 2001, Song said, which was updated two years later to include access to Abberley Lane. Without the ease- ment access on Abberley Lane, Song said drivers cannot make a left turn onto State Bridge Road.

Nick Griffiths, the principal engineer for the project, said the plan updates are evidence of Khutliwala’s attention to resident concern.

“Those are all things that he’s trying to do to be a good neighbor,” Griffiths said.

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/

Now Hiring: Office Coordinator

Local commercial real estate company is hiring an Office Coordinator. The role includes coordinating administrative tasks between our property management, leasing and accounting departments. The position requires exceptional communication and organizational skills, knowledge of MS Office, a strong work ethic, internal drive, and a positive attitude. This is an office only (not remote work) position. Please contact us Employment@ mpshoppingcenters.com for more information.

Workforce Development Coordinator

Develop programs and services for clients and students who are seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The coordinator collaborates with employers in the community who are hiring. The role also includes working one-on-one on job applications, resumes, interview preparations and offers tips for successfully securing and improving employment. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field required.

For full job description see: https://nfcchelp.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Workforce-DevelopmentCoordinator-2023.pdf. To apply, send resume to cswan@nfcchelp.org.

Accounting Specialist

Responsible for the day-to-day transactions within the accounting department. The specialist is accountable for preparing financial transactions, processing invoices, and entering general ledger data which will assist in balancing the income statement, managing budgets, and preparing financial reports. Role works closely with the Finance Manager and Director of Finance and Administration. Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or related field required.

For full job description see: https://nfcchelp. org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AccountingSpecialist-02.21.23-1.pdf. To apply, send resume to jrice@nfcchelp.org.

Global Management Analyst- Logistics. Duluth,

GA.

Provide analytical & pricing spt.; ext. weekly reporting & analysis pertaining to co. revenue, profit margins, svc. & eqpmt.; respond & spt. for RFQ’s, RFP’s & RFI’s as needed; conduct wk. simplification & measurement studies, & prep. ops. & procedrs. manuals to assist mgmt.; dvlp. tech’l. stds., deploy tech. & oversee workers who deal w/ daily info tech’l. issues; dvlp. biz. proposals & bid packages to spt. sales presentations; completion & coord. of forms to rcrd. measurement, weight, quantity, & value; manage all post shipment recordkeeping, reporting reqmts., approvals for data exports & int’l. shipping auths. Req’rd: Bach. or equiv. in Int’l. Business or Trade, or Business (Admin.) w/ concentration in Int’l. Business or Trade. Mail resume to Rachel Kim, HR Team Manager, FNS, INC. at 1545 Francisco St, Torrance, CA 90501.

Pool Technicians Wanted

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

Supportive Service Coordinator: The Supportive Service Coordinator (“SSC”) will be responsible for managing the social/supportive services for a portfolio of properties, under the supervision of the Company Asset Manager. This position will serve as a liaison between the Asset Manager and the property management company. This individual will primarily be responsible for managing compliance and reporting for supportive services and, secondarily, procuring grant funding to supplement the property service budget, and identifying local service providers to augment property offerings.

Full time hours. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in social work or education and a minimum of 5 years’ experience.

For a full job description and to submit a resume, please reach out to: Samit Patel, spatel@rhgroup.org Resource Housing Group, Inc.

Legal Assistant. Atlanta, GA. Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, contracts. Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of the case. Req. exp. 2yrs $38.59h/h. werner@wfpimmigration.com

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 5:00 pm

Handyman

Haulers