J a n u a r y 6 , 2 0 2 2 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 5 , N o . 1
Local non-profits seek advocacy in new year By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Rising inflation and housing costs are putting those facing financial and housing hardships at higher risk in the new year. Local nonprofits like The Place of Forsyth, North Fulton Community Charities and The Drake House have seen exponential growth in the number of community members requesting their services beginning in the latter half of 2021. “Closing out 2021, we have seen a continual need for food, clothing and housing assistance in Forsyth County,” said Jacob Granados, director of Purposeful Engagement at The Place of Forsyth. “Though our food pantry numbers are lower than last year, they are still over 100% higher than pre-pandemic times.” Even with unemployment at 2.8% in Georgia, there remain many people struggling to find work that will allow them to pay rent, Granados said. Fair market value for a two-bedroom rental is about $1,200 and up, he said, far out of reach for those working full time at $15 an hour. The Place has experienced a change in needs over recent years based on the severity of the pandemic, government benefits available and other factors, he said. “Most recently we have seen an uptick in the number of people seeking food and rental assistance,” Granados said. “Not only are housing costs high, people at the checkout counter have seen an increase in their grocery bills increasing the number of families seeking out supplemental nutrition from our pantry.” Granados said that for most nonprofits, monetary donations provide the most help, because they give the organization the flexibility to adapt to needs as they arise. “We do still need food drives, clothing drives… those things are important, but for those who are able to give monthly and/or yearly, please do,” he said. “With the omicron variant growing and the pandemic still wreaking havoc, our ability to predict future needs and trends has greatly diminished.” In 2021, The Place served more than 1,000 individual households representing more than 3,300 individuals with food assistance from its pantry. One-third of those families were first-time food pantry visitors. Conditions are no less dire for some families in North Fulton County. “The biggest struggles we started seeing was due to inflation
Missing girl, mother found safe in Mexico; Cumming man faces kidnapping charges By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com
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Officials with The Place of Forsyth and other charitable organizations say the need for food, clothing and monetary gifts will remain strong through the new year as inflation and housing costs continue to sap paychecks. and the cost of food,” said Holly York, executive director of North Fulton Community Charities. “We were seeing demand increase 50%, 75%, 100% more than the year before.” North Fulton Community Charities serves individuals and families with emergency need in the community by providing food, clothing, financial assistance and life skills and workforce readiness classes. And while she has seen dramatic increases in need in the North Fulton community, York said she hasn’t seen the same reflected by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The need is more localized to North Fulton. Atlanta Community Food Bank President and CEO Kyle Waide told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in December the nonprofit has seen a leveling off of demand in recent months which he attributed to a decrease in unemployment and the child tax credit. “We were shocked to see those numbers when our numbers kept increasing,” York told the paper. Beyond an inability to afford food for their families, NFCC patrons are also being priced out of their homes, York said. “But we are seeing an exodus from the community based on rents on average going up about 16-20%,” York said. “We’ve had
Housing market shows no sign of weakening.
See NON-PROFITS, Page 16 ► PAGE 6
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Cumming Police Chief David Marsh said Tuesday afternoon that a 6-year-old girl and her mother who had been reportedly abducted the day after Christmas were found safe in Mexico and are now back in the U.S. with law enforcement officials. Alexis R. Zecena-Lopez, 55, of Cumming, has been arrested in connection with their kidnapping and is awaiting extradition, Marsh said. The suspect is the father of Rachel Zecena and the ex-husband of Rachel’s mother, Balvanera Esperanza Parada-Olivas, 45. “This is still an ongoing investigation, and I will only release limited details of his capture for now, but I am very thankful to the U.S. Marshals and FBI for all the hard work they put into helping track down Esperanza and Rachel and bringing them home safely,” Marsh said. According to the initial incident report, the mother and daughter were taken against their will Dec. 26, when Parada-Olivas went to pick her daughter up from Zecena-Lopez’s home in Cumming. An Amber
See MISSING, Page 14
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Lashanda Lafaye Allison, her two daughters Erin and Ryan Pickett, and her niece Makayla Ridley, were shot at their apartment in Alpharetta on Christmas Eve. Lashanda Allison later died at a nearby hospital.
Alpharetta woman charged with murder in quadruple Christmas Eve shooting By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Christmas Eve in Alpharetta turned deadly after an Alpharetta woman allegedly shot her partner and three others inside their apartment. Police arrested and charged Stephanie Agee, 51, with four counts of aggravated assault and one count of murder in connection with the shooting. She is being held at the Fulton County Jail without bond. According to the incident report, police were dispatched to the Mansell Apartment Homes in Alpharetta at around 4:37 p.m. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety said they had received multiple calls about gunshots in the area of Huntington Place. “We’re saddened to inform our community that a domestic violence situation escalated, resulting in four people being shot,” the department said. “Unfortunately, one individual has passed and the other three are severely injured but in stable condition.”
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The victims, including 41-yearold Lashanda Lafaye Allison, her two daughters Erin and Ryan Pickett, and her niece Makayla Ridley, were taken to a nearby hospital. Allison died in the emergency room while the other three underwent surgery. Her daughters and niece range in age from 19 to 21 years old and are expected to recover. Lashanda Allison’s brother, Tyrone, started a GoFundMe Dec. 28 to help pay medical, moving and mental health expenses. He said the women were all shot multiple times and are now trying to move to their mother’s hometown in Little Rock, Arkansas. “This was so unexpected and a tragic situation, when we should have been enjoying Christmas, we are now grieving,” Tyrone wrote. Alpharetta detectives are investigating the incident with help from the Roswell Criminal Investigations Division. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Capt. S. Woods at swood@alpharetta.ga.us or call the anonymous tip line at 678-297-6300.
Maria Velazquez, 32, of Bonneville Drive, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 16 on Mary Alice Park Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane and possession of open alcohol container by driver. Dominic Ottaviano II, 29, of Venue Way,Alpharetta, was arrested Dec. 7 on Buford Highway/Windermere Parkway for DUI, operating unsafe vehicle or equipment, unlawful use of wireless device and failure to yield right of way to emergency vehicle. Christopher Scott, 48, of Homestead Ridge Drive, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 17 on Mathis Airport Parkway for DUI and hit and run. Jeffry Helgerson, 74, of Rim Cove Drive, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 8 on Ga. 400 for DUI. Michael Lockey, 56, of Masters Way, Alpharetta, was arrested Dec. 8 on McFarland Parkway for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Terrance Dernell, 44, of Warsaw Road, Roswell, was arrested Dec. 9 on Bethelview Road for DUI. Gerardo Iturbide, 40, of Greenhouse Drive, Roswell, was arrested Dec. 9 on Strickland Road/Atlanta Highway for DUI, failure to maintain lane, fleeing or attempting to elude, giving false name, address or birth date and driving without a valid license. Rowen Harris, 40, of Greenhouse Drive, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 9 on Ga. 400 for DUI and speeding. Alex Thomas, 35, of Royal Troon Drive, Duluth, was arrested Dec. 9 on McGinnis Ferry Road for DUI. Jason Scott, 52, of Winder, was arrested Dec. 10 on McGinnis Ferry Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane and possession of open alcohol container by driver. Joann Culley, 60, of Fedorite Walk, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 10 on Post Road for DUI. Nija Hudson, 33, of Sweetwater Road, See ARRESTS, Page 17
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County moves to raise fees on vicious animals By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — County commissioners are expected to give formal approval to a measure that will raise fees for vicious and dangerous animals. The proposal, which drew unanimous support during the commission work session Dec. 21, would more than quadruple initial and annual fees the county currently charges. Right now, Forsyth County assesses among the lowest fees for vicious and dangerous animals in all of Metro Atlanta. As defined by county code, a dangerous dog is one that punctures a person’s skin with their teeth without causing serious injury or aggressively attacks in a manner that causes a person to reasonably believe that it poses an immediate threat of serious injury, or while off the owner’s property kills a pet animal. A vicious dog is an animal that inflicts serious injury on a person or causes serious injury to a person resulting from reasonable attempts to escape from the dog’s attack. The county’s Animal Control Department has reported an increase in classifications over the past year. County Commissioner Todd Levent wanted assurance that the new fees were cost neutral for the county, and that the increase would not overcompensate the government at the expense of residents. He said he wants to ensure that the cost increase is justified.
Fee comparison Here’s a breakdown of current county-imposed fees for ownership of dangerous and vicious animals. Cherokee Dangerous $275 Initial fee Dangerous $275 Annual fee Vicious $275 Initial fee Vicious $275 Annual fee Source: Forsyth County Government
Cobb $100
Fulton $100
Gwinnett $200
Forsyth $30
Proposed $200
$100
$150
$200
$20
$150
$100
$100
$100
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$300
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$100
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Department officials said the intent of the fee increase is to serve as a deterrent, but it also will help defray – but not fully cover – costs incurred in manpower and other expenses in addressing vicious and dangerous dogs. County Attorney Ken Jarrard said the increase will most certainly deter ownership of vicious and dangerous dogs, but “I strongly suspect that the costs that the county’s providing still exceed this amount.” “I suspect the cost of our services, the cost of the inspections, the cost of the apparatus of the county is
still not really even captured by these amounts,” he said. Animal Services Supervisor Haley Brown said the county requires insurance policies on dogs classified as vicious. Owners of dangerous dogs are not affected by the insurance requirement. “Unless the insurance company is alerted by another citizen…we don’t report them to their homeowner’s insurance,” she said. On the other hand, a vicious animal does require a $50,000 insurance policy, Brown said.
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I’ve never seen something so fast-moving and competitive. TRACEY CRAFT, Alpharetta Realtor with the Craft Dolan Team of Ansley Real Estate in Atlanta
6 | Forsyth Herald | January 6 , 2022
Housing market continues to look strong for 2022 By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Cooler weather has not slowed the housing market in north Metro Atlanta. The most recent numbers from real estate tracking services report that homes continue to sell, values continue to rise, and the demand remains at historic highs for the area. The numbers also support the recent flood of permits and zoning applications for residential development across the northern Atlanta suburbs. Tracey Craft, Alpharetta Realtor with the Craft Dolan Team of Ansley Real Estate in Atlanta, said she expects the trend to continue into 2022. Housing inventory, a measure of available for-sale homes on the market, stands at about one and one-half months in December, about the same level it posted through 2021. That’s a far cry from just three years ago when 2019 began with an eight-month supply. Inventories typically dip during the spring and summer when homebuying picks up. That’s true in north Metro Atlanta, but buying and selling hasn’t dipped much since August. Craft said home inventory is still at historic lows for the area, and there’s no sign the housing market will slow in 2022. “I’ve been practicing for eight-ten years, and I’ve never seen it like this,” she said. “I’ve never seen something so fast-moving and competitive.” The high demand has sent some home values through the roof. The price tag on homes has climbed 15 percent in Forsyth County over the past year. North
Values continue to climb According to realtor.com, the average list and sale prices for homes in north Metro Atlanta continue to climb from levels year over year. Here are the latest numbers for November 2021: City Median listing price Median sale price Yr. over yr. Alpharetta $525,000 $507,500 +5.2% Forsyth County $489,900 $467,000 +15.3% Johns Creek $550,000 $552,000 +10.9% Milton $895,000 $817,500 +12% Roswell $492,000 $505,000 -1.6%
Average days on market The average days a home is listed before it is sold provides a picture of how hot the real estate market is. The length of time between a home listing and its sale has declined sharply over the past two years in the cities of Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Milton. This chart tracks the average number of days a listing remained on the market through the year over the past three years. Area 2019 2020 2021 North Fulton 70-75 days 60-55 days 22-18 days Source: First Multiple Listing Source Inc.
Housing inventory Housing inventory, the amount of supply of available houses on the market, is another indicator of the real estate market in a given area. Housing inventory is measured in months. Usually, the fewer the months of inventory, the greater is the demand and higher the price for real estate. This chart shows the amount of inventory during the months of January and December through the past three years. Area Jan./Dec 2019. Jan./Dec. 2020 Jan./Dec. 2021 North Fulton 8/5 months 7/3 months 2/1 months Forsyth County 6/3 months 5/1 months 1/1 months Source: First Multiple Listing Source Inc.
Fulton real estate has climbed more modestly, but it remains at levels much higher than four years ago. Craft said she’s seen some properties
post 19 percent gains in value through 2021. And demand is still strong. “You can put a house on the market now on a Thursday, if it’s move-in ready,
you can still sell it by Sunday,” she said. There are not quite as many offers coming in as there were during the summer, she added, but even so, sellers are getting their list price. Of course, some sellers will want to list high, and those prices are often adjusted downward, she said. “I think we’ve hit a season of reasoning here in this last quarter,” Craft said. “But the buyers are still out there. If you have a move-in ready home, you’ll do really well right now.” All the while, homebuilders continue to lay plans for more houses. Alpharetta continues to approve plans from developers seeking to add townhomes and detached homes to its downtown core. Interest is also growing for residential building in the North Point and Northwinds area of the city. Forsyth County has seen a steady flow of applications for residential building development. Right now, the greatest obstacle to more homes has been getting supplies to build. Just last month, the Forsyth County Commission agreed to hold a public hearing on a measure to end certain architectural requirements for lap siding because builders complained they couldn’t get materials to meet the standard. Craft said that when supply issues and labor shortages are resolved, the housing market will probably level out to a slower pace, with longer due-diligence periods for buyers and more time to secure financing on a purchase. “The pressure on buyers in 2021 was just crazy,” Craft said. “It was a tough year for buyers.”
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How to winterize your home Brought to you by – BILL RAWLINGS, Senior Vice President & Managing Broker, North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty With the holidays behind us, and the temperaRAWLINGS tures dropping, now is the time to get your home ready to beat the cold. Single-digit temperatures and freezing water can wreak havoc on your house and yard. Preparing your home for winter isn’t simply about staying warm and keeping the cold out, winter problems like burst pipes can cause damage during freezing weather. 1. Protect Your Pipes When water freezes, it expands and can cause your pipes to burst. To prevent frozen pipes, insulate pipes near windows, doors and unheated areas of the home. Disconnect your garden hose from the outside faucet. Finally, set the heat to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Check Your Drainage Make sure the soil around your foundation hasn’t settled, creating areas
for water to pool at your foundation. Simply fill it in with some soil if you find a low spot. Then go around and check your rain gutter downspouts. Make sure water is getting moved away from the home. Add downspout extenders if necessary. Saturated soil around a foundation can create real problems as it freezes and thaws throughout the winter months. 3. Safeguard Your Patio Furniture Get your patio furniture protected, but make sure you wait until a clear, warm day to cover it, so you don’t trap moisture on it. Keep your patio furniture safe from the elements (including rust) by covering your pieces with a heavy tarp. And if you have room, you can also store furniture in a shed, garage or basement. 4. Test Your Detectors Winter is the time most house fires happen. It’s the time of year when we’re blasting the furnace and building fires. We are also much more likely to have our home closed up tight, so carbon monoxide is a much bigger hazard. Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working and that they have good batteries. If your home is not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, consider getting some.
5. Keep Critters Out of Your Attic It’s going to get cold out, and your attic is the perfect winter home for squirrels and birds. These critters can cause a lot of damage and potentially some health problems. Ensure your trees are trimmed well away from the house and keep your roof vents intact. Also, walk around your home and look up at your roofline to make sure there are no holes that will allow birds to get in. And don’t forget to reverse your ceiling fans. As most people learn in school, warm air rises. Reversing the direction of each of your fans will create an updraft, which in turn will push down any heated air pressed against your room’s ceiling. By keeping warm air circulating, you’ll use heat more efficiently, which could cut down on energy costs. Keeping your home protected from the cold will keep it in top shape for the long run. If you need assistance selling your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you! Compiled and edited by Dana Daniels, Marketing Coordinator
Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 400, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.
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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Can the pace of home remodeling continue? Brought to you by – Remodeling Expo Center Throughout 2021 home remodeling seemed virtually unaffected by the Covid pandemic. Home sales continue to be robust, but the pace of home remodeling is even greater. New home buyers tend to remodel as soon as they move into their new home, but the remodeling craze seems to apply to everyone. “Our Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling business has experienced a 75% year over year increase” says John Hogan, president of Remodeling Expo Center, “and we don’t see any slowdown in sight”. There’s been a rapid change to supply chains in our entire economy and while some businesses are suffering, others are prospering. Demand for products and services are at record levels and businesses are required to re-think their supply chain from end to end; those businesses that creatively maneu-
ver around the supply chain issues are prospering. “Last year we re-focused all of our purchasing to those suppliers with local inventory, so we get instant access to products, then we diverted custom built products to smaller, more nimble suppliers, and finally we began to inventory some items so our remodeling jobs could get started faster and eliminate job progress interruptions. These changes weren’t easy but without them we couldn’t be in the hyper-growth mode that we’re presently experiencing, says Bobbie Kohm, Vice President of Remodeling Expo Center, “Turnkey Design-Build companies, like us, keep the process very simple”. Low interest rates are going to be around for a long time and investment in our homes is likely to continue. For more information on Remodeling Expo Center (RemodelingExpo.com), contact them at their showroom at 48 King Street in Roswell or at 404-910-3969.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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New Construction Luxury Communities in The Northern Corridor Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The New Homes Division of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties represents some of the most soughtafter luxury single family and townhome communities in Roswell, Milton, and East Cobb. These popular neighborhoods range from the mid $700s -$3 Million plus. Nestled in the quiet pastoral landscape of Milton is The Manor Golf and Country Club, an exclusive high-end, gated community featuring Georgia’s only Tom Watson-designed championship golf course. The Manor boasts a
world class amenity package and an unparalleled country club lifestyle. Each home features the finest finishes and is custom built by Loudermilk Homes. From $2-7 Million. 678.578.6766 Also located in Milton, The Homestead at Milton offers 30 homes situated on four to ten-acre homesites. This rare collection is designed by award-winning architect Stephen Fuller and built by award-winning custom builder Loudermilk Homes. Priced from $3 Million plus, this mix of inspiration and tradition will define the new southern lifestyle for years to come. Call 678.787.7949 for more information. Hillandale is an intimate commu-
nity of 36 homes located in the heart of historic Roswell. Inspired by the streetscapes of Charleston, South Carolina, this idyllic community features pebble stone driveways, gracious front porches with gas lanterns, covered outdoor dining areas and beautiful private gardens. Currently there are several homes under construction for Spring move-in. Built by Patrick Malloy Luxury Collection. Priced from the $900’s - $1 Million plus. 770.254.5372. Located in the heart of East Cobb, East Haven is an intimate enclave of 28 terrace home with three acres of common area including a dog park, swim-
ming pool, cabana with outdoor kitchen, and firepit. East Haven’s luxury features include elevators, and dedicated backyards some which back up to protected wooded areas. Priced from the mid $700s, East Haven offers a unique option for 55+ buyers looking to purchase a new luxury home with all the newest styles and conveniences in a quiet neighborhood just minutes to The Avenue East Cobb. Call 404-238-7990. Sales and marketing for these luxury new home communities by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. BHHSGANewHomes.com, 678-352-3314. Equal Housing Opportunity.
10 | January 6 , 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
REPRESENTATION OF HOME
552 BLACK HORSE CIRCLE CANTON, GA 30114 | $610,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860
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CANTON, GA 30115 | $985,000 Kimberly Rowland | 678.977.4532
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REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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REAL ESTATE DEFINED FEATURED LISTINGS
REPRESENTATION OF HOME
3973 WEBB BRIDGE
3730 CLUBLAND DRIVE
2120 WILKIE ROAD
ALPHARETTA, GA 30005 | $1,250,000 Rhonda Hofer | 770.871.9600
MARIETTA, GA 30068 | $1,749,000 Maryam Schwegman | 404.987.4942
ALPHARETTA, GA 30341 | $1,350,000 Diane Payne | 404.431.1499
NEW CONSTRUCTION
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THE HOMESTEAD AT MILTON
MILTON, GA | From $3 Million BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 678.787.7949
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Wishing our community, clients and customers a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. 33 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 201
| ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 | 770-475-0505
NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 33 South Main Street, Suite 201, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.475.0505 ©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
12 | January 6 , 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
The New Luxury: A Future of Generosity Brought to you by – Cynthia Lippert, REALTOR®, Ansley Real Estate Managing Broker So far, we’ve explored how luxury has embraced a more authentic, creative, and inclusive standard. How luxury LIPPERT living has shed its pretense and redefined itself to become a truly individualized yet all-encompassing experience. As we at Ansley Real Estate illuminate the new luxury living, it will come as no surprise that at the center is an ethos of generosity, connection, and service. Giving is the New Having Social media has shone a light on how we’re using our time, our resources,
our gifts. Luxury is no longer solely defined by the cars we drive or the brands we wear, but how we live our lives in them. Through this lens we see more of the world and the issues confronting it. More importantly, we see how we can be part of the solution to problems like poverty and racism. Modern life is no longer just three-dimensional, and what we share has become more important than what we have. Luxury used to be about what we had to show for our hard work, but it’s becoming more about the work we can do for others because of what we have. The new luxury is generous. Thoughtful is the New Tasteful The world may be adapting to a culture of change after what has seemed like a prolonged season of shifting attitudes and expectations. Permanence has become a dated concept that has
been ever so stylishly replaced by the effortlessness of being in the moment. We’re less consumed by our affection of objects, and more mindful of their meaning and relevance in our lives. In a world of mass production and homogenization, we’ve returned to craving the crafted and the curated. We want our surroundings, and our lives, to tell a story, and to have deeper meaning and purpose. The new luxury is captivating. Inclusive is the New Exclusive Being mostly distanced for the last two years made us realize how important connection is to our lives. Not just to family and friends but to the people around us on any given day. We were reminded of the power of a smile, a friendly greeting, a gesture of random
kindness. We started to really see each other, even with the masks. And with a little distance some of the barriers that separated us metaphorically began to fade. Our lives have become enriched more by relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures than with the things in our lives. The new luxury embraces diversity. As our world has adapted to the volatility and uncertainty of the last couple of years, we’ve assigned a deeper, broader meaning to luxury. One that gives as much as it acquires, does as much as it says, and prizes variety and connection as much as brands. As Ansley Real Estate continues to lead the way in luxury lifestyles, our series will explore and define what it means to live generously, authentically, and connected to a greater purpose.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
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PHOTOS: CUMMING POLICE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED
The Cumming Police Department says Rachel Zecena, 6, Balvanera Esperanza Parada-Olivas, 45, and Alexis R. Zecena-Lopez, 55, were found in Mexico after they were reported missing Dec. 27.
Missing: Continued from Page 1 Alert was issued for the two just after midnight Dec. 28, as police believed he was “armed and dangerous” due to a previous domestic incident. Zecena-Lopez was arrested by Forsyth County sheriff’s deputies in August and charged with multiple felonies including false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a gun and rape, as well as a single misdemeanor charge of family violence battery, for an incident involving Parada-Olivas. Court records show a family violence 12-month protective order was filed against Zecena-Lopez in November. The report states Zecena-Lopez was out on bond over the weekend when
he allegedly removed his ankle monitor somewhere in Cobb County, in the area of Six Flags, and abducted his daughter and ex-wife. Parada-Olivas’ boyfriend and son reported them missing Dec. 27. Her son later told police Parada-Olivas had dropped her boyfriend off at Northside Hospital Forsyth to pick up his truck and then drove to her ex-husband’s house to pick up Zecena to take her to the hospital to be treated for COVID-19. From that point on, the report states, it is unknown what happened to the mother and daughter. However, on Dec. 28, the Arizona Department of Public Safety stated Parada-Olivas’s black 2016 Ford Focus hatchback had been spotted westbound on I-40 near Seligman in northern Arizona. No other information is available at this time.
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Non-profits: Continued from Page 1 people come in and say, ‘My rent went up by $700.’ ‘My rent went up by $1,000.’” She said these are people with good jobs making $18 an hour. “They can’t work any more hours to make the rental [payment],” she said. Over the past few months, NFCC has averaged serving roughly 100 new families per month, 25 of them seeking assistance for the first time in their lives, York said. The Drake House in Roswell sees the same issues. The nonprofit serves mothers and children already established in North Fulton who have fallen into a circumstance of homelessness by providing housing support and programming. Graduates of The Drake House’s program, Executive Director Nesha Mason said, have seen an average wage increase of 72% in the last year. The increase, however, is still not enough. “Even with an increase in wages, they still could not afford to live independently in North Fulton even in a better career,” Mason said. “All of the right ingredients still are not able to maintain their families in North Fulton. The spike in rent we’ve seen over the last year is really pricing out a lot of people.” Just last fall, The Drake House conducted a survey among some 4,000 of its newsletter subscribers and found affordable housing a concern for 95% of area residents polled. The Drake House has partnered with United Way of Greater Atlanta to offer rental supplements to graduates of its programs for up to a year while they attempt to increase their income. “But at some point, we’ve just got to stop the bleed on the price of homes, rental and home ownership in North Fulton,” Mason said. The end of the year has brought major increases in assistance requests to The Drake House. “We saw a 32% increase year over year in November of inquiries coming into our organization,” Mason said. “In December, we had the highest number of calls that we’ve ever fielded in a month, and that was 1,500.” During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, employment was viewed by many as the cure, but while unemployment has decreased nationwide, North Fulton families are still hurting due to housing and childcare costs, especially among children too young to be vaccinated. “So, it’s not just about going back to work, there’s also huge childcare barriers,” York said. York said she expects to see an increase in families requesting assistance after the child tax credit expires Dec. 31. Before the pandemic, Mason said most calls to The Drake House were from people
facing homelessness or those staying with relatives or in a hotel. More recently, the nonprofit has been dealing with families living in their cars. “You’re looking at the choice of do I keep my housing, or do I maintain my car,” Mason said. “The car represents normalcy, ‘I can still take my children to school, I can still get to work,’… And that is probably the most tragic thing for me is the families that have their place to call home is their vehicle and we’re definitely seeing an increase in that.” NFCC and The Drake House’s models are built on helping families get through emergency periods of need and setting them up for long term self-sustainability. But with rising housing costs, the families under their care are no longer suffering from short-term crises. “It’s not just a matter of us helping them out with a couple hundred dollars while they have a short-term crisis,” York said. “It’s not a short-term crisis if they’ll never make up that $700 or $1,000 a month.” And while NFCC can help families with food, clothing and shelter thanks to the generosity of community members, York said, the organization is requesting assistance to solve the problem of housing affordability through advocacy. “The businesses that we love in North Fulton, the restaurants and the shops, it’s all wonderful, but they’re not going to be able to sustain any of this with no labor,” York said. “There’s no labor, and the labor that’s here is having a hard time just getting here and living here.” Both organizations have seen former patrons relocate outside of North Fulton. Minimal public transportation options in North Fulton put further stress on family incomes, especially amid rising gas prices, Mason said. “Many of [The Drake House graduates] are still working in the career path we put them in, but because they weren’t able to afford to stay in North Fulton are now living in Gwinnett County or Dekalb County having to make that commute,” Mason said. “And the commute is a threat to their stability.” All of these factors have ripple effects, including traffic flow on streets and staffing shortages among businesses in North Fulton, Mason said. Mason and York encourage community members to reach out to local officials to address the root problem. “Just speaking up and continuing the conversation about affordable housing and making sure those who represent us understand that it is something that we as a community want to address is huge for us at The Drake House,” Mason said. In the meantime, Mason encourages community members to continue to support their local nonprofits. “The support that is given to the nonprofit community absolutely can be a band aid or stand in the gap until we can make changes on a bigger scale,” Mason said.
ACROSS 1. Wooden nail 4. Palo ____, California 8. Is mistaken 12. The whole amount 13. Dog’s bark 14. Bucket 15. Glide over snow 16. Housetop 17. Land amid water 18. Dolls and
28. Female pronoun 29. Cooling device 32. Fuel guzzler 33. Beast of burden 35. Work by Shelley 36. Stallone’s moniker 37. Smallest bill 38. City divisions 40. Great Barrier ____ 42. Take a
OPINION
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DOWN 1. Mas’ mates 2. Lodge
New places, once again and around a sweeping curve, past an old structure and a big field and then into the heart of things. Several trails connect with the woods road, opening the door a wide range of hiking possibilities. What about the second way access? It’s near the back left corner of the parking area. But don’t be fooled by that inviting opening through the fence, despite the fact that it seems to call out, “Come this way!” All you’ll find beyond it is a number of indistinct paths that meander around and eventually disappear. I’m betting they’re the legacy of hikers who, like me, figured that the fence opening was the place to start – but then, like me, soon realized that this was not the case. As it turns out, the real second access point is just a few yards farther left of the fence opening. There, you’ll spot a clearly blazed trail leading off down the hill. It’s remarkably obvious once you see it (and shady and scenic once you start hiking). It’s become my preferred way to access these trails. The trails themselves represent a delightful mix of upland and lowland and level and strenuous. Near the back of the park where the trail passes close to the very upper reaches of Little River, there are place where the trail is narrow and overgrown. But it’s never hard to follow. As you might guess, I was particularly interested in the section of trail which paralleled the water. The prospect of newfound places to cast a fly always catches my attention. For the most part, the creek flows at the bottom of steep banks. But there are places where spur trails have formed leading from the waterside trail down to the stream. One of those spurs leads to a spot that’s nigh onto perfect if you happen to be a Golden Retriever – an ideal spot for a
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happy Golden to plop down in the water and cool off after an hour spent hiking. “It’s really a nice spot for us dogs,” said Flossie the Golden Retriever when I met her and her People on the trail. You didn’t know I spoke Dogese, did you? Well, I do. Be impressed! It is not an easy language to learn, but Ellie my resident Mini Schnauzer has been working on it with me. After all, you can’t know too many languages. I have potential, she says, and so I practice whenever I meet a dog like Flossie who will take the time to chat. “How’s the water?” I ask Flossie. She wags her tail and replies, “Not bad.” Apparently so. She’s sprawled in the creek, front and rear legs extended in the cool, clear flow. The water is only about 2 inches deep. “But that’s all you need when you’re a dog,” Flossie adds. “I just wish my people would unhook this leash so I could show you how a creek should really be appreciated. But of course they won’t do that. They’re responsible folks, and the rules say I’ve got to be on a leash.” I love a reasonable dog. Later, when I got home, I told Ellie the Mini Schnauzer about my adventure. Being a Schnauzer, Ellie is not as wild about the water as her Retriever cousins. But she was certainly interested in the trails. “Think we can go check them out?” she asked (more Dogese), and I said “Of course!” So that’s where I’m bound this afternoon – me and Ellie, with hiking boots and leash, are headed back to Birmingham Park. I’m even bringing along a little bag of doggie treats plus a couple of homemade gingerbread cookies for an after-hike snack. The gingerbread is for me. Probably.
PUZZLE NO. 117
Continued from Page 2 Lawrenceville, was arrested Dec. 11 on Canton Highway for DUI. John Yaun IV, 41, of Keithwood Drive, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 11 on Keith Bridge Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Mang Mung, 43, of Oconnel Court, Stone Mountain, was arrested Dec. 11 on Union Hill Road for too fast for conditions, speeding and DUI. Rickardo Sanchez, 23, of Victoria Walk, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 12 on Buford Highway for DUI and speeding. Megan Williams, 41, of Cherokee Hollow, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 12 on Bald Ridge Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane, possession of open alcohol container by driver and bond revocation. Dakota Chance, 26, of Forest Circle, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 12 on Bald Ridge Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane. David Morris, 27, of Affirmed Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested Dec. 13 on Buford Highway for DUI, possession of heroin, possession of a schedule I controlled substance and drug-related objects. Jesse Meeks, 39, of Vista Brook Drive, Oakwood, was arrested Dec. 13 on Johns Creek Parkway for DUI. George Schade, 70, of Worley Road, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 13 on Bramblett Road for DUI. Amber Scrivner, 24, of Lower Creighton Road, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 13 on Westray Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane and possession of open alcohol container by driver. Robert Wiley, 32, of Sharon Church Road, Loganville, was arrested Dec. 14 on Ga. 400 for DUI and failure to maintain lane.
DEATH NOTICES William Barrett, 71, of Alpharetta, passed away December 20, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
35. Wrestler’s surface 36. Chance 37. Nitwit 38. Send forth 40. Bodybuilder’s place 41. Change the title of 43. Defame in print 46. Hinted 51. Verse poem 52. Work on copy 55. Acclaim 56. Bar order
DOWN 1. Fizzy beverage 2. Wedding vows: 2 wds. 3. House sites 4. Birch or willow 5. Wellmannered guys
7. Policeman 8. Saga 9. Poison-ivy result 10. Annoy 11. Husky’s load 19. Above, in verse 21. Toss 22. Physicians, shortly 23. Milky jewel 25. Strikeout number 27. Cancel a space launch 29. Tennis stroke 30. Finds a total
31. Eagle’s dwelling 34. Dig up 39. Part of a circle 41. Cuban Castro 43. Catholic leader 44. Worshiped object 45. Christmas 46. Music and literature, e.g. 48. Shortcoming 51. Mine rock 53. “____ Are My Sunshine” 54. Discontinue
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING
Constance Buschman, 89, of Roswell, passed away December 23, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Waymon Cason, 78, of Cumming, passed away December 26, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.
Roger Hawks, 68, of Alpharetta, passed away December 21, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
9. Offbeat 12. Smell 13. Generations 14. Very small 15. Be overly fond 16. Clears, as profit 17. Type of wood 18. Proclaim 20. Video’s partner 22. Side streets 25. Toward the back, matey 28. Some toothpastes
ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 117
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52. Sailor’s response 55. Bard 56. Tall, woody plant 57. Negative prefix 58. Room extensions 59. Contained 60. Flop
If you’ve lived in an area very long, you know how new hiking places get hard to find. But I found one. It’s Birmingham Park in Milton, and it awaits you at the end of the little road that runs between Fire STEVE HUDSON Station No. 43 and the Get Outside Georgia, Birmingham Bapaa4bw@comcast.net tist Church. Put 750 Hickory Flat Road into your GPS, and you’ll be on your way. How did I come to find it? Well, my friend Alan is pastor at the Birmingham Baptist. I got to visit him there a while back, and I’ve got to say it sure was a friendly church. Alan did some serious preaching too. Anyway, as I neared the church before the service that Sunday morning, I noticed a sign for a park. A new park? New to me anyway! There wasn’t time to check it out that morning, but I had a free afternoon coming up. I’d explore it then. Fast-forward a few days, and there I was driving the last few dozen yards to the park. On my left was the fire station; on my right was the church. It occurred me that I was surrounded by fire insurance. The road ended at a wide spot with room for several cars, and there I was. Birmingham Park’s main feature is its trail system. These trails are open to hikers and horseback riders. There’s an informational sign with a map of the park’s surprisingly extensive trail system, and I’d suggest taking a photo of the map with your cell phone to help you keep track of where you are as you explore. There are two ways to access the trails. One is to start on the old woods road near the big sign, following it downhill
Arrests:
Floyd Lilley, 97, of Roswell, passed away December 25, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory. Albert Schmerge, III, 77, of Roswell, passed away December 23, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Mary Stapler, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away December 23, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory. Billy Tallant, 75, of Cumming, passed away December 24, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory. Daniel Webber, 55, of Milton, passed away December 20, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
59. Animal’s shelter 60. Lean 61. ____ up (make lively)
ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 115
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Holidays are coming, earn extra cash now! Newspaper Delivery Route Open with Appen Media Group Looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth county, Alpharetta and/or Johns Creek. Requirements: Perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude. Send an email to heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and your background/experience. IN THE SUBJECT LINE PLEASE PUT “DELIVERY ROUTE”.
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Pets for Sale
Part-time
Full-time
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Animals
Help Wanted
Experienced picture framer.
Part time. Pay commensurate with experience. Contact Buddy Gash at 678296-2829
HANDYMAN WANTED,
Afternoons. For 2 buildings. Good for retiree or high school senior. Call Stan
Cane Corso Puppies 8/9/2021. Tails docked, declawed, and shots updated. Serious
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church has an opportunity for a compassionate and energetic individual who enjoys working with special needs children, youth, and adults to direct our Open Arms ministry.
283-6036.
Bargains
LUMBER:
2x4x12’(19). 6x6x12’ (1). 2x6x16”(4). 2x10x16’ (8).
i6-16TREX
Responsibilities • Lead the Promise Class (where our special needs community congregates) during Sunday morning services in worship through music, Bible lessons, crafts, and other activities. • Supervise, work with, and coordinate volunteers and staff. • Direct quarterly respite events at the church. • Work alongside the Open Arms committee and Associate Pastor to identify opportunities to sustain and grow this ministry. Hours vary but average six per week, with 3–4 hours every Sunday morning. Compensation is up to $18/hour plus 3 Sundays (weeks) of paid vacation per year. Requirements • Annual Background Check and Child Safety Training • Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) CPR training/certification for infants, children, and adults (or complete within 3 months of hire) • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19, since you will be working with a vulnerable population. • Degree in Special Education and experience managing staff preferred. • Age 21 years or older.
ROCKY
Interested? Send us a letter telling us why, along with your resume: jobs@alpharettapres.com To learn more about Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, please visit us in person or at https://alpharettapres.com/.
$3995/each
5//’)
ENHANCE
HARBOR
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PT
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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | January 6 , 2022 | 19
ROOF SERVICE DIRECTORY ROOF TROUBLE?
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BOLD TYPE WILL MAKE
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678-898-7237
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• Buckling Spots For A
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quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Affordable, quality Top Rated • Appen RatedRoof. • BBB • Angie’s List Pressure Washing roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since * 1983. Call to schedule FREE PRESSURE Quote: 770-284-3123. New Roof WASHING Christian Brothers Roofing Purchase Residential & Commercial. Cannot combine with Best service most any other offer and or discount. Roof Repair and Valid GA only. coureasonable pricesPresent since 1999. pon AFTER getting quote. Replacement Appen-Rated 99. Home: Tree Services Driveways,*Offer Fences, Decks, expires 10 days after publication Home exteriors, more. COMPLETE TREE Commercial: Offices, SERVICES Restaurants, Tennis Courts, Appen-Rated 98 Pools, Apt. Complexes, Text or Call us more. All Pro Pressurewash for a FREE quote call 770-766-5566 for Mark. appointment.
99
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Driveways • Patios • Walls • More Call or TextThe to
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newspapers Competitive
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homes and
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more online!
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99 Serving North Atlanta Since 1983. Affordable Quality Roofing. Based in Roswell. *Offer expires 10 days after publication
CONCRETE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY SPECIALIST 30 Years Experience
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Mention ad for $250 Off. New Driveway. Cannot combine coupons.
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98 • Tree Removal • Tree Pruning • Stump Grinding
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20 | January 6 , 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth