Commissioners discuss aesthetic details in next step for Gathering development
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners discussed aesthetic and use details for the Gathering, a proposed shopping, office and residential project that could be anchored by an NHL franchise.
Commissioners approved a decision Jan. 9 to amend the Unified Development Code to update zoning for the area off Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road, which was previously zoned for a regional shopping mall. The update allows construction of a modernized mixed-use development.
We are very excited to finally be bringing the zoning aspect of the gathering project.”
ETHAN UNDERWOOD Attorney for The Gathering
Ethan Underwood, an attorney for The Gathering, spoke to commissioners about plans for the development that include connecting the project to the Big Creek Greenway, allowing a luxury car showroom and other details. The changes lay the foundation for codes to stipulate the appearance of signage, landscaping, business-types and parking.
In November, voters approved a referendum allowing establishment of a tax allocation district to fund the project.
The discussion at the Jan. 9 meeting marked an important next step in making the Gathering project a reality, Underwood said.
“We are very excited to finally be bringing the zoning aspect of the gathering project,” he said.
The Gathering is a proposed $2 billion mega-mixed-use development project that aims to attract an NHL team.
Above: The Gathering’s arena would house an NHL franchise and serve as the focal point for the multibillion-dollar mixed use development.
At left: The Gathering attorney Ethan Underwood presented several renderings of how the project might appear. The project is competing with an Alpharetta development in attracting an NHL franchise.
NELSON WORLDWIDE/PROVIDED
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POLICE BLOTTER
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Buford man arrested for DUI on Ga. 400
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 44-yearold Buford man was arrested on an intoxicated driving charge after allegedly speeding on Ga. 400 Jan. 1.
Deputies stopped a Ford Mustang after seeing it traveling almost 100 mph on the highway’s northbound lanes at McFarland Parkway about 2 a.m., according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report. The posted speed limit is 65 mph.
While speaking with the man, deputies smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle’s cabin, according to the report. Deputies also noticed the driver’s eyes were glazed and bloodshot.
The man said he was on his way home with his wife from a New Year’s Eve party. His wife had drunk heavily at the party, he said.
The driver agreed to completing a field sobriety test. He was determined to be unsafe to drive and was arrested on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.
— Jon Wilcox
Deputies discover cocaine in search of man’s home
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies arrested a 43-year-old Cumming man on a drug charge and found containers with cocaine residue Jan. 2.
Deputies searched the man’s Tradewinds Drive home about 6 p.m., according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report. The search was conducted through a Fourth Amendment waiver, which allows warrantless searches for defendants participating in a county DUI court program.
In the man’s bedroom, a vial and two small baggies with cocaine residue were found inside a jewelry box on top of a dresser.
The man admitted the vial and baggies contained cocaine.
Deputies arrested the man on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance.
— Jon Wilcox
Woman deceived in scam that bilked her for $20,000
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 48-yearold Cumming woman reported sending thousands of dollars to an online scammer.
The woman told deputies on Jan. 4 she had met a man on Facebook and sent him funds, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report.
The man told her he was stuck in Sudan and needed money because the government was preventing him from leaving unless he paid.
Over the course of a month, she had sent him about $20,000.
The woman reported the alleged scam after he began requesting more money.
She gave deputies the man’s telephone number, which was associated with a New Jersey address.
The incident was classified as a misdemeanor theft by deception.
— Jon Wilcox
Man cited for DUI after Ga. 9 crash
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 50-year-old Marietta man was arrested on an intoxicated driving charge after a crash Dec. 18.
Officers began an impaired driver investigation after police investigating the crash suspected the man was intoxicated, according to an Alpharetta police report. The crash, which occurred on Ga. 9 at Wills Road, injured at least one person. Further details were unavailable in the report.
Officers noted the man had slurred
speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes and a sweet, alcohol smell coming from his breath. He denied consuming alcohol.
An evaluation of the man’s eyes and walk and turn test showed signs of impairment, according to the report. The man was unsteady on his feet, failed to follow instructions and showed erratic movement in his eyes.
The driver declined taking a breath test. He was charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and following too closely charges.
— Jon Wilcox
Officers investigate report of attempted home burglary
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a potential burglary along Pine Grove Road Jan. 2 after a father and son reported signs of a break-in at a friend’s residence.
Officers said a 72-year-old Milton man and his 33-year-old son contacted them about someone breaking into their friend’s home and possibly stealing some items.
The father said the victim, an 89-year-old woman, called him earlier in the day about someone dropping off items at her house, which she hadn’t ordered. The man also said the woman shows some signs of dementia.
Officers said the father and son showed them areas where someone had attempted to gain entry through the exterior garage, rear patio, kitchen window and screened door.
The Milton men said some of the victim’s belongings, like a grandfather clock, had been moved to the garage and other items rearranged throughout the home. The woman’s car keys and other keys were also reported missing from the kitchen.
The woman told police she was uncertain if anything had been stolen.
Police found a Walmart receipt left at the scene, and officers said security footage from the store gave them a possible description of a suspect.
The case remains active.
Hayden Sumlin
Area prepared for winter storm
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Cities sprang into action after a winter storm encrusted the area with ice and snow over the weekend.
Several inches of frozen precipitation made roadways hazardous, downed trees and damaged power lines on Jan. 10. Temperatures plummeted well below freezing for hours.
Many residents worked from home. Others took the day off. With schools closed, children ventured into the winter wonderland to play, dotting neighborhoods with snowmen.
Across North Metro Atlanta, city officials were busy clearing roadways, publishing safety bulletins, monitoring conditions and working hard to ensure the safety of their communities.
Forsyth County
County facilities were closed Jan. 10 and 11, and staff were encouraged to work from home.
County staff were making preparations ahead of the weekend to maintain the operation to ensure the operation of infrastructure and roadways, County Manager David McKee said.
The closure included all general county government offices, the Forsyth County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex, the Pet Resource Center, recycling convenience centers, Senior Services, Access Forsyth transportation services and Forsyth County Parks & Recreation’s indoor and gated facilities. All Parks & Recreation programs and activities were also canceled.
dents to stay home and keep accidents to a minimum. Emergency officials nevertheless were needed to help a few drivers who had slid off the road.
Going into the storm, the city had prepared for the worst. They were pleasantly surprised with the number of residents who decided to stay home and few trees that were downed, Mullen said.
“The team did a great job,” he said. “We were able to ensure that folks remained safe.”
Milton
Trucks equipped with plows and salt spreaders canvassed the Milton’s main connector roadways.
Their work made travel relatively safe, but patches of ice and snow resulted in a few incidents, according to the city.
A truck flipped a little before noon Jan. 10 on Wood Road at Birmingham Highway. Police and firefighters responded quickly, and no significant injuries were reported. Ice caused some trees and limbs to fall, damaging power lines.
Part of Freeman Road near Dartmouth Road was closed in the late afternoon after a tree fell onto power lines. The road was reopened that evening.
Firefighters also were dispatched to Glen Hampton Drive in the White Columns neighborhood for a downed tree. Throughout the weekend, city officials notified the public through social media channels. They also asked the public to post photos of snowmen, receiving dozens of responses.
“Snow, sleet, rain, freezing rain — none of it will stop Milton’s first responders from serving our community,” the city said.
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Residents were advised to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, shut off water to irrigation systems and faucets, open cabinet doors to allow air circulation and insulate pipes. Dribbling faucets also can prevent freezing.
Johns Creek
City officials in Johns Creek monitored conditions and directed responses from a bank of television monitors at City Hall.
Through the real-time camera feeds, they spent Jan. 10 watching for downed trees, ice and snow accumulations, traffic flow problems and other issues, Communications Director Bob Mullen said.
City Hall was closed to the public, but emergency services personnel were on stand-by ready to respond to 911 calls. Numerous other city staff and emergency officials spent Jan. 10 working.
Crews cleared and treated roadways with salt and sand mixtures. The city’s snow plow also was deployed for use.
By the evening, some drivers were able to travel on main thoroughfares, Mullen said.
“We were very prepared,” he said. Mullen credited city bulletins published on social media with convincing many resi-
Alpharetta
Alpharetta city officials said they were fully prepared to respond to the forecasted winter weather.
Public works crews, salt trucks and plows were on stand-by, and staffing plans were in place Jan. 9, according to the city. The city’s Emergency Operations Center opened early Jan. 10 to monitor conditions. Winter weather resources were available on the city’s website.
The city prioritized roadways into three categories for snow and ice treatment and removal.
Category 1 consists of major roadways like state roads that connect Alpharetta to Ga. 400, bridges, overpasses, fire stations and public safety facilities.
Category 2 includes known trouble spots on more heavily traveled collector roads, such as shaded areas along Webb Bridge Road, Kimball Bridge Road and North Point Parkway.
Category 3 consists of traditional trouble spots along lesser traveled roads like Parkbridge Parkway, Henderson Parkway, Lake Windward Drive and Mayfield Road.
City officials encouraged residents to stay off the road as much as possible.
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm
Johns Creek announces MLK Day Unity Breakfast
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek has extended an open invitation to its second annual Unity Breakfast Jan. 20 to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an 8:30 a.m. panel discussion.
The Unity Breakfast is hosted by Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry and the City Council at the Sankranti restaurant off Ray Moss Connector.
This year’s gathering features a panel discussion on non-violent change moderated by Melvin Everson. A 23-year Army veteran, Everson is a former state representative and serves as vice president for economic development at Gwinnett Technical College. Former Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him twice to lead the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity charged with enforcing the 1965 Civil Rights Act.
Everson will be joined on the panel by Shay Foley, chair of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce; Subash Razdan, co-founder of The Gandhi Foundation; and Johns Creek resident and civil rights activist John Suttles.
The inaugural Unity Breakfast last year saw Suttles give closing remarks, discussing his participation in the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Last year’s gathering, held at Taylor Lodge at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, also featured performances from vocalists Brianna Yancey and Mikaela Ayira, juniors at Chattahoochee High School
The program features one of King’s quotes: “America is essentially a dream. It is a dream of a land where men of all races, of all nationalities, and of all creeds, can live together as brothers.”
— Hayden Sumlin
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED
Johns Creek resident and civil rights activist John Suttles offers remarks to guests at the city’s inaugural Unity Breakfast Jan. 15, 2024. On March 7, 1965, Suttles was one of the youths involved in attempting a voting rights march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, starting with the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
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Georgia respiratory diseases reach new seasonal heights
By ALLEN SIEGLER Healthbeat Georgia
ATLANTA — As the new year begins, Atlanta and Georgia respiratory disease spread has accelerated to some of the highest levels seen this winter.
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Over the last week of 2024, flu cases hospitalized 220 residents in the metro Atlanta area, according to the latest report from the Georgia Department of Public Health. That week alone makes up over a third of the region’s count since October.
Statewide cases appear to be paralleling that trend. Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that Georgia’s hospitalization rate for the virus also rose at the end of 2024 to its highest level in recent months. Additionally, the state percentage of health care visits for suspected flu cases has continued to increase and outpace the national average.
Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, and Covid-19 are infecting many Georgians as well. Wastewater surveillance sites detect high levels of the viruses in communities across the state. RSV levels appear to have remained at the new heights they reached last month.
These state benchmarks show yearly rises in the three viruses, but many also indicate a less severe season so far relative to recent winters. In the last three months of 2023, metro Atlanta area health care centers
hospitalized about 1,000 more people for the flu than they did at the end of 2024.
And while CDC numbers indicate that December’s final week was a recent peak for Georgia hospitalizations related to any of the three viruses, that rate is significantly lower than it was any of the past four years at the same time.
Still, there are other respiratory diseases that have outpaced recent Georgia recordings. One of them is pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The bacterial disease, most common in children, can compromise babies’ breathing and cause coughing strong enough to break ribs. For 2024, the CDC has recorded 280 Georgia cases — nearly three times the count of 2023.
The system used to detect whooping cough is updated frequently, and the 2023 and 2024 counts could continue to change. But in a health advisory last month, the state health department warned providers to be on the lookout for any patients presenting with severe coughs.
The CDC recommends five doses of vaccines throughout a child’s first six years that helps protect against whooping cough. The organization says besides some groups like pregnant people and seniors, most adults don’t need to seek additional immunizations.
Healthbeat (Healthbeat.org) is a nonprofit news organization covering public health.
WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM/PROVIDED
Sebastain Aponte and Valentina Osorio are all smiles Jan. 1 after giving birth to their daughter Antonia, the first baby born at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in 2025.
Wellstar North Fulton heralds 2025 first baby
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center celebrated its first baby of 2025, Antonia Aponte-Osorio, delivered just a few hours after New Year’s celebrations.
Antonia, a baby girl weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces, was born at 5:37 a.m. Jan. 1 to Sebastian Aponte and Valentina Osorio. The couple is from Atlanta.
— Hayden Sumlin
7506 Wilderness Parkway
Big Canoe, GA 30143
Facts About Me
Breed: Boxer Mix
This is Ace!
Color: Black/White- (shorthair)
Age: 15 months old
Weight: (Current) – 60 lbs.
Fully Grown: Large – (75 lbs.))
Sex: Male
My Info
Healthy / All shots current
Good with dogs & children / Cats??
Neutered / Good walker
Goofy & Affectionate
My Story
Ace was surrendered to a county shelter by a couple who had to move to a condo and thought he deserved a better life than what they were able to provide for him. He has been well cared for!
Ace is a very sweet boy, when he looks at you his face says it all, get me out of here!!
He enjoys walking, hiking the trails, LOVES playing ball at the park and, you guessed it, just hanging out with the family. He has a wonderful, sweet disposition and enjoys everyone he meets. He would make a loving companion for a family with children or just an active couple looking to add a furry member to the mix! Come meet him, bring a tennis ball and treats. He’s a winner.
bigcanoeanimalrescue.org 706-268-1346
placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org.
A grandparent gets to employ old-fashioned teaching tools
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
For at least the past 40 years or more, I have written a long – most times, very long – Christmas letter, at times more than 3,000 words. All this time the “target audience” of my letter has primarily been the adult friends of my parents, the ones I’ve known for decades and who watched us grow up.
So, the Christmas letter has been an update every year on how we are and what we have been doing. They actually knew us all, and generally, I believe, were interested in updates. It has almost always included a 1–3page collage of pictures from that year.
Increasingly, however, I have a problem continuing this annual effort because well over half of the people on my Christmas card mailing list have died, and many of those remaining have never met my kids or my sisters. So, getting this indulgent, long missive from me probably annoys them or, at a minimum, it is not something that gets read very well. I don’t blame them.
Most of the Christmas presents I bought this year were analog. I bought books; I always buy books. I have never been able to read a single digital book, although I am increasingly listening to audio books when I drive on long trips.
I bought a wall map for my grandchildren, a large world map that has all the countries. I hope that Hans will find a wall somewhere, perhaps in the basement, to mount it – or maybe the kitchen! Maps, the knowledge that there are other countries is important. A kid needs to know that they are not the center of the universe. In my dreams, I see my son Hans reading current events to his kids at the breakfast or dinner table and asking them to go find the country on the map that he has just reported some news on.
One thing I wanted to buy but could not find a satisfactory version of was history flash cards, like the ones I had when I was growing up. Two things in my youth helped me understand context and my place in the world – my history flash cards and my stamp collecting. If you know your stamps, you know U.S. history, or at least the most important events and people.
I did find and buy two items. One was a package of lots of small single topic books. The topics included: Steve Jobs, Jules Verne, Steve Irwin, Galileo, NASA, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie and more. There were 25 of these books in the package that I bought from Costco (which is no longer going to sell books).
The other thing I bought (also at Costco) in lieu of the flash cards was a rather large “illustrated history of the world,” from the pyramids to the Apollo space missions. Lots of maps, lots of images, and a ton of information. That one is for my eldest grandchild, Phoebe (11), but it may be a little of a stretch at her age. Maybe she will grow into it. It reminded me of my copy of a large coffee table book “History of the World” by Arnold Toynbee that I think I bought at least 50 years ago, and still have. I actually read all of it and highlighted half of it. And it was also from my encounter with this book that I started my “word collection.” Since every page in Toynbee’s book had at least a dozen words that I did not know or understand, I started writing them down, looking up the definitions, and ended up with my “word collection” journal. Unfortunately, years ago I left my word collection in Chile, but that is another story.
I bought each of the grandchildren journals in which they can start their own word collections. Only Leo knows about this idea at this point. His first word, something we stumbled across when reading together, was “archipelago” – a chain of islands. I am sure if anyone asks Leo what that that word means now, or 50 years from now, he will for sure be able to tell them. He was excited about the idea of a word collection.
Being a grandparent can be fun. You sort of get the opportunity –especially if you live close – to work on “molding” or influencing another human being after you have had the benefit of already having raised children. You definitely see the possibilities, and every Christmas, you get to buy them stuff that you think will help them grow, become wiser, or just generally benefit them.
King’s Ridge Christian welcomes new head of school
Brought to you by - King’s Ridge Christian School
King’s Ridge Christian announces the hiring of a new head of school, Tony Fajardo.
King’s Ridge, abutting North Park in Alpharetta, provides a Christian collegepreparatory program for students grades Pre K-12.
Fajardo, who currently serves as Head of Ben Lipton School in Colombia, South Carolina, has more than 20 years of experience in school administration.
“Having been at Ben Lippen for the last eight years, it has been a privilege to be part of a school community that was recognized in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state of South Carolina in terms of academic performance in reading and math,” Fajardo wrote in a letter to the school community. “During
my tenure, we increased student enrollment from 730 to 1,220; built two new state-of-the-art facilities; saw the Fine Arts program grow into a dynamic, multi-tiered academy; completely renovated the athletic facilities; and committed more than $200,000 annually to spiritual life programs.”
He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Barry University, master’s degree in management and administration of education programs from Nova Southeastern University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Columbia International University.
“Together with the faculty, staff, students and families, I look forward to advancing the strategic vision of King’s Ridge by providing an environment where students can thrive spiritually, academically and personally,” Fajardo said. “I am especially excited to lead
the efforts to expand and enhance our campus facilities, creating spaces where future generations will grow in faith and knowledge.”
King’s Ridge Christian says Fajardo’s leadership is expected to further inspire the school’s commitment to nurturing character, purpose and calling in each student.
He replaces interim head of school Brian Simmons, who was selected for the 2024-25 school year over the summer.
Ben Ackerman, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees, said the King’s Ridge family is thrilled to welcome Fajardo’s wife, Becky, and their three sons, Corey (19), Tyler (17), and Connor (5).
“Please join us in welcoming Dr. Fajardo and his family to King’s Ridge,” Ackerman wrote. “We are excited to see all that God has in store for our community under his leadership.”
Charting futures
How Woodward Academy empowers students for college and beyond
Brought to you by -
Woodward Academy
For families choosing private schools, the journey is as much about the destination as it is about the path taken to get there. At Woodward Academy, that destination spans a diverse range of colleges and universities—liberal arts colleges, research institutions, technical schools, and performing arts conservatories across the nation and the globe. From Ivy League universities to state flagship schools and everything in between, our students are well-equipped to thrive in whatever environment they choose. The key to their success lies in the exceptional preparation they receive along the way, showcasing the immense benefits of private schools like Woodward.
Building strong foundations with a rigorous curriculum
The hallmark of a Woodward education is its robust private school curriculum, designed to foster intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. From AP courses in subjects like calculus, environmental science, and computer science to unique electives such as global studies and film production, our students explore their passions while building the foundational skills necessary for college success. With individualized attention and small class sizes, the advantages of private school education become apparent: every student is equipped with critical thinking skills, leadership qualities, and the confidence to excel in any environment.
Leveraging exceptional resources for the whole child
At Woodward, the resources provided to students extend far beyond academics. Our stateof-the-art facilities and expert faculty support a comprehensive approach to whole-child education. Whether it’s engaging in independent scientific research, honing artistic talents in visual and performing arts, or exploring career-focused pathways like cybersecurity and engineering, every Woodward student benefits from private school resources that nurture their unique abilities. The result? Students who are not only college-ready but also life-ready.
A community that supports success and happiness
What truly differentiates Woodward Academy is its emphasis on fostering a supportive and inclusive community. As students navigate our enriched private school curriculum, they also grow through leadership opportunities, service-learning experiences, and a robust advising program. This holistic approach ensures that Woodward graduates are prepared for future challenges while remaining grounded and compassionate.
A legacy of prestigious college acceptances
The proof of Woodward’s transformative education lies in the impressive colleges and universities our
students attend. Over the years, graduates have matriculated to institutions including the University of Georgia, Stanford University, Morehouse College, and the Rhode Island School of Design, showcasing the tangible benefits of private schools in securing competitive college placements. Admissions officers frequently praise our students for their exceptional writing, study habits, and readiness to take on leadership roles.
Choosing a private school for your child’s future
When considering the benefits of private
schools, it’s essential to look beyond academics. At Woodward Academy, we believe education should prepare students for a lifetime of achievement and joy. By combining academic rigor with emotional and social support, our students thrive in high school and far beyond, turning dreams into reality at some of the world’s best institutions.
Discover the transformative advantages of private school education for your child at Woodward Academy—where we prepare students not just for college, but for a fulfilling and successful future.
Fulton Science Academy Private School Where excellence meets innovation
At Fulton Science Academy Private School, we transform potential into achievement, passion into purpose, and dreams into reality. Recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education and honored as a National Character School by Character.org, FSA is a shining example of educational excellence. Our accolades, including being named the #1 STEM High School in Georgia by Niche.com, AP Honor Roll Platinum School by CollegeBoard, and Best K-12 Private School in North Atlanta by Appen Media, underscore our commitment to excellence.
A legacy of excellence
FSA is not just a school; it is a launchpad for extraordinary futures. Accredited, STEM-certified, and consistently ranking in the top 1% nationally in standardized tests, we deliver unparalleled academic
outcomes. Our graduates boast a 100% graduation rate and a 100% four-year college-bound rate, earning spots at the nation’s most prestigious universities. FSA offers over 25 AP Courses and 35 Honors Courses uniquely preparing students for education beyond high school.
The legacy of FSA lives on through our extensive alumni network that connects our current students with FSA alumni to provide life-long services such as mentorship, internships, job boards, professional development opportunities, and international community engagement.
A culture of innovation and discovery
Education at FSA is more than academics, it is a journey of exploration and growth. Our handson, collaborative, and engaging instructional approach fosters critical thinking, creativity, and resilience. Through our innovative STEAM curriculum and a dynamic range of extracurricular activities, students are equipped with the skills to navigate and
lead in a world driven by innovation and curiosity.
At FSA, our students don’t just learn, they lead. Among our diverse and accomplished student body, you will find:
• Award-winning academic teams dominating national and international competitions.
• Athletes who bring discipline and determination from the classroom to the field.
• Entrepreneurs who turn bold ideas into real-world success stories.
• Critical thinkers and innovators making meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.
Character-Driven education
At the core of FSA lies a commitment to shaping not just scholars but compassionate leaders. Our guiding values—Integrity, Curiosity, Advocacy, Resilience, and Empathy (ICARE)—are more than ideals; they are woven into every aspect of our school culture. These pillars empower our students to face challenges with
confidence, lead with compassion, and create lasting positive change in their communities.
A place where students thrive FSA is purposefully designed to be a structured, distraction-free, and supportive environment where students can focus on achieving their goals. From personalized academic guidance to strong social connections built through student-led initiatives and athletics, FSA creates a holistic experience that fosters both academic and personal growth.
Discover the FSAPS difference
At FSA, we don’t just prepare students for the future; we prepare them to shape it. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or within their communities, FSA students are tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and changemakers.
Join us in transforming potential into extraordinary achievements. Visit www.fultonscienceacademy.org to learn more and schedule a visit.
Brought to you by - Fulton Science Academy
An experience for all ages
Brought to you by – WildeWood Farm
WildeWood Farm, Inc., a three-generation working farm, has been serving this area since 1996. Purchasing 5150 Oak Grove Circle, Cumming in December 2018, we’ve expanded our farm’s animals to include cows, goats, pigs, and sheep to go along with the 32 horses, chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs.
Winning BEST OF FORSTYH five years in a row for “BEST PLACES FOR KIDS TO HAVE FUN” as well as “Best Stable” and “Best Equestrian.” Our agritourism farm teaches horseback riding lessons to adults (under 205 lbs.) and to children ages 5+; do supremely fun farm or horse-based birthday parties and other special events;
seasonal and summer day camps, as well as work closely with the middle and high school FFA, 4H, DECA, and SAE projects. The public is invited to participate and attend in our live, interactive Christmas Nativity and Easter plays.
Hannah Campbell Zapletal is our head coach and owner. Safety, fun, good horsemanship, and gentle teaching are the cornerstones for all activities. She believes that “Everyone should have access to a farm as it gives a respite from technology, allows for deep friendships, builds community, and gives purpose.”
We accept volunteers of all ages (text before you come). The farm is open Monday – Saturday, weather permitting. www. wildewoodfarm.com, 770-843-2478.
Developing courageous leaders
Atlanta International School in Sandy Springs will open its doors to students in grades 7 - 12 in August this year! This creates an exciting opportunity for families who live north of the Atlanta Metro area. Atlanta International School (AIS) has been offering students the best in education through the International Baccalaureate curriculum for 40 years and is thrilled to expand OTP!
The school’s mission is to develop courageous leaders who shape their world for the better, with mutual respect and understanding. AIS is an inclusive community that brings people from all cultural backgrounds and nationalities together. The student and faculty body represents
Hannah Campbell Zapletal, Owner & Coach, has 29 Years Experience
over 90 nations and within it over 60 languages are spoken! This opens a window to the world to AIS students, and helps them advance their intercultural skills, which are much needed for thriving in tomorrow’s world.
At AIS, language learning is centered, and every student studies a language in addition to their own. The school prioritizes the interests and passions of each student, allowing them to develop agency over their learning.
For students who are looking to pursue pre-professional or collegelevel athletics or arts, the AISx flexible schedule program allows them to succeed academically and in their chosen area of interest.
Brought to you by – Atlanta International School Sandy Springs
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Continued from Page 14
AIS Sandy Springs also boasts the first Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Georgia with on-site professional coaching available to students enrolled at the school. Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach to grand slam winner Serena Williams, has renowned academies in Europe and AIS Sandy Springs is its newest location. The perfect spot in this tennis-loving state!
As well as regular day school, AIS Sandy Springs offers boarding for students travelling from further afield, with both 5- and 7-day boarding options available. Boarding students will enjoy all that the beautiful campus has to offer, along with weekend excursions to local attractions, and of course to the cities of Sandy Springs and Atlanta. On-site residential faculty support students and ensure they experience a home from home. Both day and boarding students will be connected to AIS Buckhead campus with a bus ser Students from AIS attend the best colleges in the US and around the world, with a higher-than-average acceptance rate. Colleges recognize the strength of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, in particular the rigor of the Diploma and Career-related Programs that students in grades 11-12 complete. When AIS students graduate, they have a joy of learning that propels them onto their next adventures in life.
Start your own AIS journey and apply today.
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Pictured from left, French tennis coach
Patrick Mouratoglou and Head of Atlanta International School Kevin Glass.
Supporting teenagers through difficult times
Brought to you bySarah Mixson, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, The Summit Counseling Center
Adolescence is a time of growth, change, and challenges. For many teens, it can be difficult to navigate academic pressures, social dynamics, and personal struggles. As a parent, it can be challenging to know when to step in and what to say when your teen is struggling. There are a few strategies that can be helpful when your teens are going through a difficult time.
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Supporting your teens through difficult times requires a balance of empathy, guidance, and patience. By fostering a strong connection, providing structure, and knowing when to seek professional help, you can provide the stability and support they need to navigate life’s challenges. Your presence and understanding can be very powerful. If you’re concerned about your teen or need additional support, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance.
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Will & Trusts emotions
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The psychology of writing a Will and Trust delves into a complex interplay of emotions, relationships, and personal closure that often surfaces during this seemingly straightforward task. For many, drafting a Will and Trust prompts a confrontation with mortality, triggering feelings of anxiety, fear, or even denial. This act of organizing one’s affairs can serve as a catalyst for introspection, compelling individuals to reflect on their lives, values, and the legacy they wish to leave behind. It can also strain relationships, as discussions about inheritance and asset distribution may bring underlying family tensions to the forefront. Siblings or heirs might feel a sense of competition or resentment, especially if the will reveals perceived inequalities or favoritism. On the other hand, open dialogues about the Will and Trust can foster healing and understanding among family members, as they confront shared memories and the importance of maintaining connections
beyond financial considerations. Moreover, for many individuals, the process of writing a Will and Trust can provide a profound sense of closure, allowing them to articulate their wishes and alleviate the burden on loved ones during an emotionally charged time. Ultimately, the act of drafting a Will and Trust transcends mere legalities; it becomes a deeply personal journey that intertwines love, loss, and the enduring quest for meaning in one’s life. If you’re considering writing a Will and Trust , take a moment to reflect on the emotional journey it entails. Don’t just view it as a legal formality—embrace the opportunity to express your values and connect with your loved ones. Start a conversation with family members about your wishes and seek guidance from a legal professional to navigate this important process. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your legacy reflects not only your assets but also the love and memories you want to leave behind.
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OPINION
GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!
Travel opens doorway to unplanned exploits
Where are you going, my friend?
Right now, at this very minute, I’m going east. To Germany.
Yep. I’m in a plane somewhere over the Atlantic. Home and hearth and Canton, Ga., are way behind me now, while way down below (wa-a-a-a-ay down below) there’s nothing for miles but the good ol’ Atlantic Ocean. It’ll be that way for a while. Sometimes that thought is soothing.
Ahead of me, somewhere out there beyond the curved horizon, is the airport at Munich. And beyond that?
I don’t know. I have hopes, but I’m only sure that it will be new to me, completely new, and I’ll just have to see where the storyline goes. It will be new like London was new when we went there a couple of years ago. I had never been, but she had, and she loves it, and she loves me, and so we chose it for our honeymoon. I’d seen some documentaries and read some old National Geographic articles. I had planned where I was going. I thought I knew what to expect.
I was wrong. It was so much better. Yeah. That trip, like all the best ones, just kind of unfolded on its own. I like it when that happens. Don’t you? Like a good drama, you never know where such trips are going to take you. You never know what the actors in the play are going to have to say.
I remember a place a thousand miles west of where I was just then, a place in north Georgia far off any beaten track where a one-act drama unfolded one cold November Saturday maybe 30 years ago. Here’s how it came to be.
I’d planned a trip to Dahlonega to interview a gold prospector that a friend of a friend had introduced me to. “You’ve got to go talk to this guy,” my friend had told me. “He’s something.”
“Something?” I inquired?
“Yeah,” my friend said. “Just… something.”
And so I went, expecting to do my interview thing and take some notes and shoot some pictures for the magazine. It would be interesting. But I figured it would be just like all the
other interviews, hello-and-questionsand-goodbye.
I was wrong.
I met my source (that’s what we writer types call the people we talk to, though I really do not like the term) in front of an unpainted shack that must have been old long before Moses was even a pup.
Three creaky steps led from the yard up to the porch. They played musically as I climbed.
We settled into old wood rocking chairs that had once been some shade of green.
I wrote down the right spelling of his name. Then, according to plan, I asked questions and notated answers. Finally, having what I needed, I made to excuse myself. That was my plan –to head on home and write the story and sent it to the magazine straightaway.
But he said, “What’s your hurry?” He added, “Sit a spell.”
Why not? So, we sat and chatted and sipped a few things, some perhaps from mason jars. We talked about people (characters distant and local) and places (small ones, mostly) and politics (what can one really say?).
The more we talked, the easier it became.
Inevitably, conversation turned again to gold. Were folks still finding it? Yep. Right around there, right around that very shack? Uh-huh.
Were they finding very much?
Well…
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said all of a sudden, rising from the rocker. He walked around back behind the cabin and disappeared into the woods. He was gone for a while but was back in 15 minutes, his coveralls a little muddier than I remembered.
He was carrying something wrapped in a dirty brown piece of tattered, moss-flecked, mud-stained burlap. That something looked heavy, though it was not very large.
He unwrapped his burden carefully and handed it to me. It was an ancient mayonnaise jar.
It was a mayonnaise jar full of gold, so heavy that I very nearly dropped it.
“Somethin’, huh?” he said after a bit, and I allowed as to how it really, really was.
I turned the jar slowly in my
A nostalgic trip through ‘Whatever happened to?’
MIKE TASOS Columnist
Best of luck to y’all still in the New Year’s resolution game. I was proactive this time around: no resolutions of any kind. Just like Jerry Jeff Walker sang: “I’m taking it as it comes.”
I was pondering all the opportunities that a new year brings, when I thought of a few occupations that had simply gone away. And no, I’m not counting a New Jersey drone operator, although I am mystified as to where all those drones went.
Maybe they were Christmas gifts that were returned. But whatever happened to:
Service stations: Remember when you’d sit in your car while someone pumped your gas, checked your tires, washed your windshield, checked your oil? Why, if there was a promotion, 10 gallons would get you a free dish towel. Service with a smile. You can trust your car to the man who wears the star. Nowadays, New Jersey is the last bastion of where it is illegal to pump your own gas. I thought of this while filling up at BJ’s when the wind chill was 22 degrees.
Milkmen: Remember when you’d leave empty glass milk bottles on the porch, and like magic the empties would be replaced with fresh milk? Maybe even chocolate milk and a half-dozen donuts. It seemed like the milk poured from glass bottles was colder and tasted better when poured on my Fruit Loops. I was actually a milkman for a summer during college. Drove a milk truck while standing up. Had to master the dual clutch/brake pedal. Up every morning at 4:30 to load my vehicle and ice down the milk to keep it fresh in that 100-degree Bakersfield heat. I had keys to some customers’ homes and had to put their milk in the fridge. One customer was a local news anchor who was somewhat of a boozer. It was a regular occurrence to let him in his house after he’d had difficulty getting into the house. I always envisioned his wife being nearby, rolling pin in hand, ready to do damage.
Bookies: Ted Knight, the hilarious Judge Smales in “Caddyshack,” let Rodney Dangerfield know: “Gambling is illegal at Bushwood. And I never slice.” Personally, I once had an untreated slice with a trajectory resembling a well-tossed boomerang. As for gam-
bling, early on, I was exposed to relatives who played the ponies at all the Los Angeles area tracks. Our barber, Freddie, had a shop in San Pedro with three chairs in front and a cavernous hall in back, which I learned, after Freddie had to go “on vacation” courtesy of the police, was used for monumental card games, dice games and who knows what else. I smartened up one day while watching the barbers tend to two customers while answering no less than 50 brief phone calls. There was a local bookie in Bakersfield who would set a point spread for local high school football games. He was a great guy, and I wrote a three-part series about his services. There was no leg-breaking if a customer didn’t pay. Instead, even more painful, was the gambler being “cut-off,” not allowed to place any more wagers. The women in the newsroom were even apt to place a wager or two. We all mourned the bookie’s passing after he (somewhat poetically) dropped dead of a heart attack at Santa Anita. His obituary listed his occupation as a “self-employed accountant,” which was hilarious because who keeps better books than a bookie? After the funeral, a local cattle rancher came to me with a pained expression on his face. I thought he was deep in the throes of mourning but instead was sad about future gambling. He threw up his hands and cried: “Now what are we going to do?” These days, you can’t watch a game without being bombarded with pitches for sports betting. Every time I see one, I think of Pete Rose’s exclusion from Cooperstown.
Customer service: A few years ago, there was a particularly surly librarian who was a pain to deal with. One day, I said to her: “Keep being nasty and you’ll be replaced by a self-checkout machine.” She “harumphed” me, but these days, human interaction is being replaced by a scanner that inevitably doesn’t work. Thankfully, the Publix where I shop hasn’t succumbed to this rage. I don’t mind waiting in line to interact with a real person who feeds her family thanks to her job. Just trying to do my part, you know.
This is a paltry list. I’m sure we are missing many more items. It made me think that there are times when progress isn’t always a good thing.
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
Gardening may heal trauma, restore wholeness
BY LAURA VACCARO Guest Columnist
Whether caring for a houseplant, arranging flowers or pruning rose bushes to prepare them for the coming spring, numerous studies have shown that gardening is healthy for the body, mind and spirit.
An abundance of scientific research correlates gardening with improved physical fitness, reduced cortisol levels, a greater sense of wellbeing and stronger connection with community.
In her article, “The Spiritual Practice of Gardening,” Gretchen Champoux, a psychotherapist and ordained minister, points out that gardening requires the same traits as many spiritual practices do, such as patience, attentiveness, diligence and self-control, and in turn, helps us to cultivate qualities that draw us closer to the divine, like mindfulness, creativity and curiosity.
Whether people are suffering loss, illness, victimization from a violent crime, or a history of childhood abuse, in my work as a trauma therapist I have observed that they often feel alone and disconnected from themselves and the world around them. It’s no wonder that the calm greenery of a garden can be so healing!
Garden as a place of refuge: Traumatic events cause people to feel vulnerable and unsafe in the world, and the garden can provide a place of “refuge,” where one can begin to experience safety. Spending time in a garden naturally brings about a sense of belonging to the natural world and develops the ability to feel “grounded” from within. In this place of stillness and beauty surrounded by nature, there is nothing to prove. The plants are wonderful companions who don’t judge or criticize us. They can help us to gain trust in our environment and begin to find our inner strength again.
Gardening restores our ability to live in the present moment: Traumatic events can keep our nervous system locked in states of fight, flight and freeze responses. Experiencing events that we are unprepared for overwhelms our nervous system and makes it impossible to enjoy life. Gardening tasks require our focused attention and naturally bring us into the present moment. Engaging in moderate physical exercise in the tranquility of surrounding nature stimulates the senses and calms the mind. Activities like planting seeds, raking leaves, weeding, admiring the beauty of flow -
ers and harvesting vegetables brings our attention to the present. Enjoying the fruits of one’s labor is deeply satisfying and produces a sense of well-being.
The resilience of plants heals despair and inspires us to live: Caring for a plant allows us to nurture something when we feel incapable of nurturing ourselves. It gives us hope, especially when we see the growth that we have helped to create. Plants want to live, and their resilience is inspiring. My mom recently shared with me that after her divorce, she didn’t know how to keep living, and sometimes didn’t want to. However, one spring morning while standing out in her garden, the sight of emerging daffodils touched something deep within her, and a small voice inside whispered, “if they can come back, so can I.”
Horticulture therapy is a timeproven practice with therapeutic benefits that are well-documented. Below are three horticulture therapy programs that work with specific populations in our area.
• Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance in Decatur uses the power of
About the author
gardening and nature to enrich the lives of people living with disabilities. Primarily, they serve adults 18 years and older diagnosed with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. However they also provide services for war veterans and the incarcerated.
• Hillside Horticultural Therapy program is located in Atlanta. They work with children and adolescents, ages 11-17 who struggle with mental health challenges, and are unable to function in regular home/community settings. Activities such as planting gardens, making compost, raising butterflies and feeding birds benefit students’ physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.
• A.G. Rhodes offers horticulture therapy to seniors and has centers in Atlanta, Marietta and Wesley Woods. Their website describes the numerous therapeutic benefits that gardening activities provide to older adults. These benefits include increased opportunities for sensory stimulation, help with reaching, standing and balancing and improved cognitive functioning. In addition, group gardening
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Master Gardener intern Laura Vaccaro, a native New Yorker who discovered a passion for gardening four years ago when she moved to Roswell with her husband and bought a home. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, meditating, cycling and travel. Laura looks forward to volunteering with the Fulton County UGA Extension service. In addition, Laura is a licensed psychotherapist and recently became a Kripalu Mindfulness Outdoor Guide.
helps seniors to combat isolation and depression.
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. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https:// appenmedia.com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
Save the dates for NFMG’s 2025 signature events: Garden Faire on April 12 and Garden Tour on June 7. Learn more at nfmg.net.
TRELLIS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ALLIANCE/PROVIDED Proud man with his flower arrangement
TRELLIS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ALLIANCE/PROVIDED
Planting seeds and arranging flower bouquets
Hudson:
Continued from Page 19
hands. Its contents shifted, revealing a dynamic universe painted in tones of sun-kissed yellow. There was fine gold by the tablespoon, some like sand and some as sifty as flour. There were larger bits – small nuggets, actually –up to the size of a couple of grains of rice. There were bigger pieces the size and shape of raisins or small peanuts or perhaps phantasmagoric jellybeans. And there were a half-dozen of big ones (“Them’s the super-nuggets,” he said) that clonked softly together as the jar, like the universe itself, rotated before my eyes.
“More where that came from,” he said. “Maybe more of them supers too.”
He let me hold the treasure (what must have been its value!) and, after a while, he reached out and took the jar and its softly glowing contents from my hands. Yeah, it was a little hard to let it go.
But I did. And when I did, he held it closely and wrapped it again everso-lovingly in its battered burlap gown, then cradled it in the crook of his right arm before clump-clumpclumping down the porch steps and turning at last back towards the woods.
He stopped at the bottom of the steps.
“So that’s what it is,” he said to me. “That’s what comes to be. Eh?”
He departed then, disappearing into the trees, leaving me to wait on that porch for his return.
I waited a while, then a bit longer, then longer still.
After a while it started getting dark. Finally, I went home.
“…and that’s how it happened,” I said to her, but she only nestled her head on my shoulder, no doubt lulled to blissful rest by the purring of those two massive engines roaring silently a few yards beyond the window.
I turned to look out that window. There was a faint hint of light from somewhere out in front of us, and I knew that after while we’d be once more wheels-down on the good earth.
Where was I going? Germany and Austria.
What would I find? I had not a clue.
But it would be new. It would be fresh. Like life itself, it would enrich and enhance and enlighten, and it would be good.
I’ll let you know what I find.
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FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED The Gathering would connect the Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County with a trailhead, serving as a destination on the pathway.
Gathering:
Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group also has submitted a petition to attract an NHL franchise farther south at North Point Mall. New York Life Co., the insurer that owns the property, said they have plans to create a mixed-use project around the team.
DEATH NOTICES
Josephine Bagley, 93, of Roswell, passed away on December 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Fay Flynn, 78, of Alpharetta, passed away on January 2, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
“You can see these beautiful exhibits that have been displayed and published, and we’re excited about the prospect of this right on the county line,” Underwood said.
The multi-story arena will feature glass facades, LED signage, climatecontrolled dumpsters and other amenities.
Commissioners said they wanted to ensure any automobile sales location would be suitable for a “premier property.”
“A showroom is one thing. A fullfledged lot is another,” Commissioner Laura Semanson said.
Underwood presented renderings of how the arena and surrounding entertainment district will look. Also at the meeting was The Gathering development team member Vernon Krause, CEO of Krause Sports and Entertainment.
“What Vernon Krause and The Gathering team is looking to bring to you is an arena focused activity center that will bring commerce and hopefully an NHL franchise to Forsyth County,” Underwood said.
Krause, who also serves as president and CEO of Krause Auto Group, asked commissioners to consider allowing a luxury vehicle showroom at The Gathering.
Petrelia Lawhorn, 76, of Roswell, passed away on January 4, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Anthony Lazzara, 83, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Randall McAuley, 62, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Trummie Patrick, Jr., 80, of Roswell, passed away on January 7, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Krause, whose car business owns Lamgorhini, Lotus and Rolls Royce sales locations, said he envisioned including a business like Tesla and Mercedes showrooms found at the Avalon and Halcyon developments.
“We would envision having inside the arena and maybe a showroom where we would display those vehicles,” he said. “They would be indoors and I’m sure they wouldn’t be an embarrassment to anybody.” Continued from Page 1
Josephine Rotkewicz, 97, of Roswell, passed away on December 31, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Donor Operations Supervisor
The Donor Operations Supervisor (Full-time) The Donor Operations Supervisor manages the donation door process and delegates tasks to staff, volunteers, and community service workers. As the face of NFCC, they provide excellent customer service while greeting donors and ensuring donations are properly removed from vehicles and sorted in designated areas. They are responsible for maintaining the security of merchandise and keeping all areas clean and organized.
The Supervisor must be able to lift up to 75lb frequently and be on their feet most of their shift. They must enjoy staying busy, training and influencing other to work as a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Must have the ability to work Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm. An extraordinary Total Rewards Package is included with this opportunity!
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Lead Data Engineer, Multiple Positions: Alpharetta, GA, & various unantic client sites thruout U.S. Resp: Implement & mge Multinode Hadoop clusters on Cloudera virtual machines, collaborating w/Hadoop admin team to configure user groups; Develop ETL pipelines to extract, transform, & load data from source datalakes using Python, Spark, & Hive, as well as migrating data from on-premises Oracle & SQL Server to Hadoop servers using Sqoop & Spark; Script w/ PySpark & Python to automate validation, logging, & alterations for Spark apps, along w/ develop shell wrapper scripts for automation; Write OOZIE Workflow scripts for job orchestration, develop Terraform scripts for deploy Cloud Function configs & pub/sub topic creation in the GCP platform, & optimize & monitor performance of Spark apps. Reqs min of MS or equiv in CS, CIS, IT-related Engineering, or related, w/1 yr of exp in position offered or rel. Extended travel and/or relocation thruout U.S. Mail resumes: CloudIngest Inc., Job LDE, 310 Maxwell Rd., Suite 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
Lead Java Full-Stack Software Developer, Multiple Positions: Alpharetta, GA, & various unanticipated client sites throughout U.S. Use Java/ J2EE, Spring Framework, Spring Reactive, Spark Framework, Angular Framework, and Kafka to design, develop, and deploy robust and scalable enterprise applications to drive innovation and deliver cuttingedge solutions. Design & build APIs that allow data & functionality to be accessed by other applications. Architect and implement microservices for distributed applications, leveraging Spring Framework, Spark and Kafka for real-time data processing and messaging. Combine front-end technologies with back-end knowledge to create secure and responsive user interfaces which include client-side validation, UI development, and ensuring a seamless user experience across devices. Test code throughout SDLC. Work independently, preparing project status reports & formal presentations as required. Requires minimum of MS or equiv. in CS, CIS, Comp App, ITrelated Engineering, or related with one (1) yr of exp in position offered or related. Extended travel and/or relocation throughout U.S. Mail resumes to: CloudIngest Inc., Job LJFSSD, 310 Maxwell Rd., Suite 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
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