Johns Creek Herald - February 22, 2024 by Appen Media Group

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City celebrates Arbor Day Autrey Mill observance features baby hemlock

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Fe b r u a r y 2 2 , 2 0 2 4 | 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 8 , N o . 8

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appenmedia.com/join CITY COUNCIL Performing arts center garners major support for hotel tax funding ► PAGE 3

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A baby hemlock tree was introduced to the grounds at Autrey Mill Nature Center in celebration of Arbor Day Feb. 16. Johns Creek City Councilman Dilip Tunki, a former board member at Autrey Mill, and Assistant to the City Manager Olivia Gazda, who helped secure the city’s first Tree City USA certification for the year of 2023, joined Autrey Mill Executive Director Lizen Hayes and community volunteer Will Lance for the ceremony. “There’s a disease that’s been killing the hemlock trees by the millions, literally up in the Appalachians and all the way across to the Great Lakes,” said Lance, who brought the hemlock for planting. Lance said the disease is brought on by a microscopic insect, a woolly adelgid, which can kill a good-sized

See TREES, Page 6

Public seeks coverage of elections, people at Appen staff forum ► PAGE 6

BUSINESS AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek City Councilman Dilip Tunki, Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Executive Director Lizen Hayes, Johns Creek Assistant to the City Manager Olivia Gazda and community volunteer Will Lance gather for a tree planting ceremony at Autrey Mill in honor of Arbor Day Feb. 16.

City of Johns Creek loses two key staffers By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The City of Johns Creek is on the hunt for a new economic development director and event coordinator following their resignations, effective Feb. 16.

ROI

matters.

“Until their replacements are hired, we are working as a team to ensure our efforts continue and our level of service to the community remains unchanged,” Interim City Manager Kimberly Greer wrote in an email. Economic Development Director Randall Toussaint, who had been with the

city for two years, helped land biomedical engineering giant Boston Scientific for the city’s Town Center area. Several applications have already been submitted for Toussaint’s position, according to the city’s LinkedIn job posting.

See STAFF, Page 21

Johns Creek Chamber serves as focal point for small businesses ► PAGE 8

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2 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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.

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Stranger enters garage to leave note on vehicle

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek woman reported to police Feb. 5 that someone had left a note on her car overnight while it was parked in her garage on Gatsby Place. The woman told police that when she left for work at 9 a.m., she saw the note which had not been there the night before. The note said, “I said ‘hi’ to you as you walked from your car. I’m very attracted! Could we chat?” according to the incident report. The woman told police she did not remember anyone saying “hi” to her, nor did she know the suspect who left the note. She said the only person who could have had the garage entry number is a cleaning maid who worked for the home’s last owners, the report says. Nothing was out of place in the garage, the report says, and police advised the woman how to sign up for extra patrol for her home.

Man allegedly roughed up after faulty transaction JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police were called to McDonald’s on State Bridge Road Feb. 6 after two individuals prevented a man from leaving after he had sold them a broken Play Station 5. One of the individuals told police they paid $450 for the new gaming system, but when they took it home, they received an error code related to the owner having been banned from using the system due to breaking the user agreement. The victim told police the pair met with the man at McDonald’s to get their

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PUBLIC SAFETY money back, but the man told them the best he could do was $200 now and $200 later. The man tried to leave when the pair called the police, according to the incident report, and one of the individuals, a woman, allegedly assaulted the man by pulling his hoodie and pushing him. The seller told police he wanted to press charges against the pair, but police issued no charges due to not having surveillance footage to corroborate the man’s statements.

Group accused of stealing from several Whole Foods JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — An employee at Whole Foods on State Bridge Road reported to police Feb. 8 she found $1,500 in supplement bottles stolen after receiving an alert from a nearby location of theft. The employee told police she checked the surveillance cameras in the store and saw four people enter the supplement aisle. Two of the suspects were women, who concealed bottles under their skirts then exited the store without paying for them, according to the incident report. After conducting an audit, the employee found the group had stolen two dozen bottles of Nordic Naturals supplements. The employee told police the Whole Foods locations at Avalon in Alpharetta as well as locations in Decatur, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs had been hit by the same suspects. The Decatur store was able to obtain the tag of the suspects’ vehicle, appearing to be a black Dodge Grand Caravan, the report says. Police submitted photographs of the suspects and of the vehicle as evidence.

Man files assault claim after lending out vehicle ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A Marietta man

reported Feb. 1 his friend swung a machete at him after he asked him to return his vehicle. The victim reported he lent his vehicle to the suspect Dec. 1 on the condition it would be returned when the owner needed it back. When he asked the suspect to return the vehicle Feb. 1, he reported the suspect “became agitated” and allegedly swung a machete at him four times. Officers reported taking the victim to the location where the attack allegedly happened, but his vehicle was no longer there. The victim said the attack happened at one of the buildings near 341 Brady Place. The suspect and the vehicle were reportedly a match in a December hitand-run on Ga. 9. Officers reported returning to the location the victim had provided around 5 p.m., and an employee at a neighboring business confirmed she had seen the vehicle there. The victim told officers he would like to press charges and report his vehicle as stolen, the report states.

Man’s personal information used to buy $46,000 vehicle ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating an identity fraud after a 36-year-old Roswell man reported Feb. 6 someone had purchased a $46,000 car using his personal information. An officer said he met with the victim who told him someone used his personal information to purchase a 2021 Toyota 4Runner at Dimmit Chevrolet in Clearwater, Florida. The victim said he noticed inquires on his credit report in late December and early January, then received a letter stating he was due for a payment on the vehicle. The victim also said he did not give anyone permission to use his personal information to buy a vehicle.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 3

Officials to commit most hotel/motel tax to performing arts center By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council is moving the ball on a performing arts center, a space advocates dub the “Legacy Center,” by earmarking hotel/motel tax dollars toward the effort. At the council’s Feb. 12 work session, officials agreed to send most of the anticipated $257,000 hotel/motel tax collections toward construction documents for the project, with the remainder toward public art. Mayor John Bradberry initially suggested that all the tax dollars go toward the performance hall. Bradberry’s proposal came after members of the Johns Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau and some councilmembers gathered to draft a list of potential tourism development projects. There had been some pushback from the tourism bureau on ideas that weren’t standalone or visible, with preference toward projects like public art and landscaping. There was also pushback on Bradberry’s proposal at the work session from Councilman Larry DiBiase, who said there are still too many variables in the mix before making a decision, such as location, size and scope. The council has not yet identified or

purchased land for an arts center, and DiBiase said he did not want hotel/motel tax dollars to put pressure on the process. The state restricts how some of the money from a local hotel/motel tax can be used. Part can be used for tourism, convention and trade shows. This would include brochures, magazines and marketing. Another portion may go to tourism product development, like lodging facilities, tour vehicles and parks. State law also allows these funds to pay off debt on larger projects. Tourism development project funds must be spent within the same year the tax revenue is collected, according to John Brock, research analyst with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Mayor Bradberry referenced the city’s oncoming Capital Improvement Plan, which includes a performance hall. The draft of the document was reviewed at the council’s strategic planning retreat last month. “... [The Capital Improvement Plan] is saying that this is the path that we are on. This is where we’re going,” he said. “I think that as the board of directors for the city, I think that’s something for us to take pretty seriously.”

See TAX, Page 21

SCREENSHOT

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry, middle, suggests the city spend the anticipated $257,000 in hotel/motel tax collections on construction documents for a performing arts center at the City Council work session Feb. 12. Most councilmembers agreed to send the majority of collections to the project and a remainder for public art, an action to be voted on March 4.

Join Us For

Meals with Meaning March 21, 2024, 6 – 9 pm The Roswell Mill: Ivy Hall 85 Mill Street | Suite B-103 | Roswell, GA 30009

We are excited to announce Meals with Meaning 2024. This beautiful evening unites members of the community, local businesses, and organizations together through their interest in transforming the lives of homeless families. About Family Promise: Our organization is built on the belief that every child deserves a stable home, and we are committed to providing the resources and assistance necessary to make this vision a reality. Meals with Meaning 2024: This year, the event promises to be even more impactful as we celebrate in a new location, while continuing to offer a beautiful outdoor cocktail reception, seated dinner, and special speaker presentation. Why Attend: By attending Meals with Meaning 2024, you will be aligning with a cause that resonates with our local community. Your support will contribute to the success of our programs, ensuring that we can continue providing essential services to the families in greatest need. Family Promise North Fulton/DeKalb 770-609-5407 | shannonpickerel@familypromisenfd.org To Donate or Reserve Tickets: https://mwm24.givesmart.com

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4 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

SCREENSHOT

Director of the Atlanta-Carolines HIDTA Program, Dan Salter, leads the fentanyl awareness event at the Studio Theatre in Sandy Springs Feb. 15.

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SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A former top official with the DEA alerted area residents Feb. 15 that fentanyl is “the biggest monster that we’ve ever had in drug law enforcement.” Speaking at a fentanyl awareness and drug prevention forum at Sandy Springs’ Studio Theatre at City Springs, Dan Salter, former DEA Special Agent in Charge, and current director of the Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program, pleaded for parents to involve themselves in their children’s lives. “This takes all hands-on deck,” Salter said. “For the parents that are in the room, get to know your kids and what’s going on. Talk to them. Be aware of some of these things.” The primary purpose of the meeting, one of a number community outreach events hosted by law enforcement agencies across the country, is to bring awareness to the widespread misuse of the popular painkiller, fentanyl, and the rapid increase in deaths and overdoses for users, especially in teens and young adults. Through social media platforms such as Tik Tok, younger users are easily purchasing the deadly narcotic online as user numbers continue to grow. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Ryan Buchanan also spoke at the event offering his experience and perspectives. “We [as U.S. Attorney] work primarily to understand what poses the greatest threat to the citizens of our district,” he said. “It’s clear to us that fentanyl plays a huge role

in threatening our safety.” Just last year, more Americans died from drug overdoses and drug poisonings than any other year in the history of the United States, Buchanan said. Spreading awareness is vital, he said, and he hoped that everyone attending the meeting leaves with their “eyes wide open about what threatens us.” The presentation included videos from drug experts expressing their thoughts on the recent popularity of fentanyl with firsthand examples and accounts of how it leads to nationwide fatalities. Closing speaker Angela King offered her personal experiences of losing her teenage son, Jack, to a fentanyl overdose. While she continues to mourn his passing, she is working hard to spread her message to parents and communities everywhere. “We’re [her family] grieving and we’re hurting,” Kink said. “But we have to turn our pain into a purpose. Saying ‘don’t do drugs’ isn’t working. We have to start communicating. We have to start making this real…we have to be prepared. I’m committed not only to speak, but to take action. We have to end this terrible epidemic that we’re faced with. I will be talking with legislators to get legislation passed. I will do what I can.” The event closed with a Q&A session between attendees and each of the contributing speakers. To watch the full presentation, visit Sandy Springs’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CityOfSandySprings. For more information on the AtlantaCarolinas HIDTA Program and fentanyl use, visit achidta.org or call 678-244-8400.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 5

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6 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Appen staff forum focuses attention on human interest, elections coverage ROSWELL, Ga. — About two dozen people attended Appen Press Club’s second stop on its 2024 “Listening Tour” Feb. 15 at From the Earth Brewery Company. Members of Appen Media’s newsroom made themselves available to the public to listen to feedback from readers and talk about what they would like to see more of in their local newspaper. The Alpharetta-Roswell Herald has been serving the Alpharetta and Roswell communities since 1983 and is currently delivered to 28,000 homes weekly. It also serves as the legal organ for the City of Roswell, which means that it publishes all of the city’s legal notices about public meeting dates, tax dollar allocation and rezoning of property. Newsroom staff also fielded questions about whether they disclose sources, how news is localized, best practices on facilitating city council debates and other election coverage. Some attendees also encouraged staff to cover more human interest stories. As always, the group’s inbox at newsroom@appenmedia.com is open to any and all ideas — reporters would love to cover community pillars, eccentrics, feel-good efforts, and anything in between. “We appreciate the people of Roswell welcoming us and providing us with some great story ideas and ways we can better serve them,” Appen Media Publisher Hans Appen said. “They are an engaged citizenry, and it is important to us to give them information and tools to more effectively realize the vision they have for their future.” Appen also announced that the company is in the process of digitizing all its archived newspapers for online consumption. The next stop on the Listening Tour is in Johns Creek at Sugo on March 21 at 4 p.m. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at www.appenmedia.com/ join.

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COMMUNITY

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Executive Director Lizen Hayes and community volunteer Will Lance plant a baby Hemlock tree at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in honor of Arbor Day Feb. 16.

Trees: Continued from Page 1 hemlock in half a decade once it infects the tree. His efforts to save hemlocks started more than a decade ago, rescuing them and planting them in the Atlanta area, quarantining them away from threats. “This is one of my favorite places to do that because Autrey Mill has been real cooperative about it,” Lance said. “With their conservation ethic, I figured it was a good place to plant it.” Autrey Mill works with the City of Johns Creek to ensure that rivers and streams are healthy and clean. This year, Hayes said there will be three creek cleanings. “It’s important to celebrate the trees because we need them to breathe fresh air, and they keep our rivers and streams shaded, specifically the hemlocks, and that provides good environments for multiple different species…” Hayes said. Hayes also mentioned the oak trees are endangered by a fungal disease. “The forests here in the southeast, in particular, are in danger and with

Johns Creek officials and those with Autrey Mill Nature Preserve stand with a Tree City USA banner at the park Feb. 16. The City of Johns Creek was recently certified as a Tree City for the first time for the year of 2023, as part of a program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. climate change, we’re facing even more hurdles …” Hayes said. Funded by the city, grants and donations, Autrey Mill has had a forest management plan in place since 2018. The plan includes cutting back invasives, like wisteria, and cleaning up brush to prevent forest fires.

More online For more information on efforts to save Georgia’s hemlock tree, visit savegeorgiashemlocks.org

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 7

Appen Press Club presents

Listening Tour 2024

Reporter-Led Event Series Seeking Story Feedback and Ideas

Johns Creek – Thurs. March 21, 4–5pm Open to the public and FREE to attend! SUGO

OTHER UPCOMING LISTENING TOUR 2024 DATES & LOCATIONS: April 18th

10305 Medlock Bridge Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097 sugorestaurant.com | (770) 817-8000

TO RSVP

RSVP is not required but appreciated. Visit appenmedia.com/join to let us know you are coming.

Cherry Street Brewing Home of Rick Tanner’s (Vickery Village – Forsyth)

May 16th

Six Bridges Brewing (Milton)

June 20th

July Moon & Café

July 18th

Pontoon Brewing Company (Sandy Springs)

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To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level. Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

I see a lot of people that just do things on a whim, and then they wonder why people don’t come, and it’s because they didn’t do their homework. ROBIN BUCKLEY, president and CEO, johns Creek Chamber of Commerce

8 | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024

Johns Creek Chamber operates as hub for small businesses City’s business licenses exceed Roswell, Alpharetta

While people often think of chambers as strictly networking event related, Buckley said the organization also offers educational opportunities for its members by facilitating introductions to other resources in the area, like the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center which has a free mentorship program. Through a partnership with the City of Johns Creek, the Chamber is also launching a new middle-management program, for members ready to expand their businesses. The program, starting in the summer, will operate like a buddy system with mentors.

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, like other chambers around the area, serves as a resource hub for its members and the community. But, President and CEO Robin Buckley says what makes the Johns Creek Chamber special is that it’s composed mostly of small businesses, mom-and-pop shops. She said more than half of the city’s businesses are homebased. “You’ll see that in Johns Creek, there aren’t a lot of corporations and that kind of thing,” Buckley said, who had just returned from a ribbon-cutting at Moi, an Asian fusion restaurant and cafe. She goes to a lot of ribbon-cuttings, especially at the beginning of the year. “It’s very personable. You can really make a difference in each other’s lives and each other’s days.” The Johns Creek Chamber has 330 members, most of them businesses, with one or two individuals. At the organization’s office on Johns Creek Parkway, there’s a wall filled with members’ business cards, adjacent to stands filled with the 2023-2024 Johns Creek Guide Book the Chamber created to showcase the city’s newest park, Cauley Creek, on the cover. More than networking Membership grants access to exclusive events, centered around networking,

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Robin Buckley, president and CEO of Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, sits at her desk in the organization’s office on Johns Creek Parkway. Buckley has been with the chamber for more than a decade. allowing members to connect to potential customers and partners. An annual all-day event that started five to six years ago is Chicks in Charge, where the Chamber features women speakers who are leaders in their industry. It takes place on or around International Women’s Day in March. “When they come in, they’re talking about their story or their passion for whatever it may be, saying, ‘It’s possible,’” Buckley said. “‘You can be very successful. It’s not just a man’s world out there.’” The organization also hosts events with elected officials, like the luncheon with Fulton County Commissioner Bridget

Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024 8am –9:30am Featured Speaker: Jeff Pedowitz President & CEO

Thorne that took place Feb. 15. These gatherings provide officials an opportunity to update business leaders on what they’re currently working on and what’s in the pipeline. “Not everybody does get to meet their elected officials,” Buckley said. “I mean, I never did until I got this job, when I started coming to the Chamber.” Buckley immediately joined the Chamber when she opened Cocktails & Canvas in 2010, then started volunteering. Two years later she sold her paint party business and got a full-time position, eventually climbing to the top as the president and CEO, a role she’s held for four years.

Small business community Describing the health of Johns Creek’s business community, Buckley said it’s small compared to the number of residents. The resident-to-business ratio is about 15 to 1. There are around 83,000 residents in Johns Creek, which has a little more than 5,300 businesses, based on the number of licenses issued last year. That’s more businesses than in Alpharetta – even Roswell, whose population is 10,000 more than Johns Creek’s. Alpharetta, with a population of about 70,000 has close to 4,700 businesses, and Roswell has a little more than 4,300, according to documents obtained through an open records request. Whether a higher number of business reflects greater economic impact has not been determined. While business in Johns Creek took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic,

See COMMERCE, Page 9

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BUSINESSPOSTS

Commerce: Continued from Page 8

going under or restructuring, Buckley said space is filling up, new ideas are coming in. Economic development has become a priority for the City of Johns Creek, propelled by the introduction of Town Center. The 192-acre area along Medlock Bridge Road will feature Medley, a mixedused development headed by Avalon’s Mark Toro, who said his project will create a halo effect. The Town Center area will also house biomedical engineering giant Boston Scientific as well as a 62,192-squarefoot commercial development, which was recently approved by the City Council. Johns Creek is also in the process of adopting a Revitalization Plan for the four corners of Medlock Bridge and State Bridge roads. Thriving business Whether businesses thrive once they’re established in Johns Creek is another story, though city staff told Appen Media that the 18 to 20 percent of nonrenewals seen each year is relatively even with the number of businesses entering the city. “One of the things about Johns Creek is that the residents have a lot of

expendable money, but they don’t have a lot of expendable time,” Buckley said. “...We turn into a ghost town during the major holidays … Everyone travels to get out of here because they can afford to do that. But, when they’re home, they don’t tend to necessarily spend locally.” Buckley said it’s a tough situation for businesses when the local community shops online. “That was a mistake I made too when I opened my studio,” Buckley said. “I was like, ‘Oh, you know, this is one of the richest cities in Georgia,’ but [residents] just don’t have the time.” She says networking and getting involved in the community are huge to the success of new businesses. It also helps to have a plan. “I see a lot of people that just do things on a whim, and then they wonder why people don’t come, and it’s because they didn’t do their homework,” Buckley said. “Or, you know, it’s more of a hobby for them than a real job.” She said owners should consider the space, if the surrounding businesses are in alignment, rather than just focusing on how much the rent is. Buckley said there needs to be some cohesiveness within the city’s shopping centers. “It’s crazy,” Buckley said. “Sometimes you look, and you’ll see that there’ll be a Taekwondo studio, and then there’s a paint store, and then there’s the tattoo shop. Nothing meshes.”

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 9

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This is Buddy! Facts About Me Breed: Australian Cattle & Shepherd Mix Color: Tri Color - (shorthair) Age: 1-year-old Size: Fully Grown - Medium Size – (55lbs) Weight: (Current) 40 Lbs. Sex: Male My Info Healthy All Shots current Good with dogs & children, Cats?? Chipped and Neutered Knows commands Good walking on a leash My Story Looking for an active family who wants to go hiking and play ball. Buddy is a fun-loving dog that would make a great companion for a family with children. He loves to please and is very sweet. All BCAR dogs are 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.

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10 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

Calendar

FEB. 22 — MARCH 3

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH AFRO-LATIN SOUNDS CONCERT

What: Join the KT Collaborative in celebrating Black History Month with a night of Afro Latin sounds. The evening will consist of a cross-genre presentation of Afro-Latin, Brazilian music and vocals, using percussive and various rhythmic styles. The event is free and open to the public. When: Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton Street, Alpharetta More Info: alpharetta.ga.us

GIRLS ON FIRE

What: The Alpharetta Symphony will feature the first symphony composed by an American woman, Amy Beach’s “Gaelic Symphony” and a work by a living composer August Read Thomas, who often writes for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The group will also feature a violin concerto, written by Florence Price, former head of music at Clark Atlanta University, performed by Helen Kim, Atlanta Opera violinist. When: Friday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Methodist Church, 69 North Main Street, Alpharetta Cost: $12-25 More info: alpharettasymphony.org

NO MORE HIDDEN FIGURES: VISUAL ARTISTS ON BLACKNESS

What: The Johns Creek Arts Center will have an exhibit on display in recognition of Black History Month through the end of February. When: Until Feb. 23, business hours Where: Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekarts.org

KARLA HARRIS AND THE JOE ALTERMAN TRIO

What: Karla Harris and the Joe Alterman Trio, longtime creative collaborators, will perform for an evening of jazz standards and original music, as part of the Center Stage Series. When: Saturday, Feb. 24, 7-9 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell

ROSWELL ROOTS POETRY SLAM COMPETITION

What: A dozen poets will compete in an effort to win the title. When: Thursday, Feb. 29, 7-9 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell Cost: $15 More info: roswell365.com

Cost: $29.25 to $32.50 More info: roswell365.com

ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 2024

What: This year’s Atlanta Jewish Film Festival features a diverse array of 48 feature films and 15 shorts from 20 countries, including three world premieres, six North American premieres, two U.S. premieres, and 13 Southeast premieres. The festival, hosted across five Metro Atlanta venues including the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, caters to both in-person and online audiences. When: Until Feb. 26, times vary Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs Cost: Prices vary More info: sandyspringsga.gov

MUSIC MATCH PERFORMANCE: FEATURING FRANK HOUSTON AT COLLETTA

What: Composer, multiinstrumentalist and vocalist Frank Houston Hayes has gained experience within all major genres of American music, including jazz, pop, country,

FEATURE YOUR EVENT ONLINE AND IN PRINT! It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people, whether online, through our newsletters or in the Crier and Herald newspapers.

R&B, rock, gospel and hip-hop. In his developing career, he has worked with international award-winning acts, including Thomas Rhett, Musiq Soulchild, George Duke, PJ Morton and Khalil Fong. When: Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7-9 p.m. Where: Colletta Italian Food & Wine, 900 3rd Street, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

ROSWELL ROOTS POETRY SLAM COMPETITION

What: A dozen poets will compete in an effort to win the title. When: Thursday, Feb. 29, 7-9 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell Cost: $15 More info: roswell365.com

ROSWELL BEER FESTIVAL 2024

What: This event features more than 350 beers with unlimited tastings, food from Roswell restaurants and live music. Presented by STAR House, 100 percent of the proceeds benefit local kids in need. When: Saturday, March 2, 1-6 p.m. Where: Town Square, 610 Atlanta

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Street, Roswell Cost: Prices vary More info: roswellbeerfestival.com

AUTHOR, POET SANDRA B. TAYLOR What: Sandra B. Taylor will discuss her autobiography “All of Me” and her experience growing up in Roswell during the Jim Crow era and read a collection of her slam-winning published poetry. The event is free and open to the public. When: Saturday, March 2, 2-3:30 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell More info: roswell365.com

ALPHARETTA RESTAURANT WEEK

What: With over 45 participating restaurants, Alpharetta Restaurant Week features local restaurants offering a special dinner menu with multiple courses for $25-50. Many also offer similar lunch menus for $20-35. When: March 3-9 Where: Participating restaurants More info: awesomealpharetta.com/ alpharetta-restaurant-week

Visit AppenMedia.com/Calendar Provide the details for your event including title, description, location and date Click the red button that reads “Create event” That’s it! Submissions are free, though there are paid opportunities to promote your event in print and online.

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14 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

On Occam’s Razor, Hickam’s Dictum and Crabtree’s Bludgeon Brought to you by - Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

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fit our previous beliefs and account for the new evidence. Never underestimate the ability of people who are wrong to invent reasons not to admit it and to figure out how Arriving at a correct diagnosis is not a the new evidence actually further proves simple matter. With the exception of the oc- that they are right. (Think Flat Earthers) casional conspiracy theorist (Is Elvis alive?), Sometimes, a doctor can cling to an most people gravitate to the least elaborate erroneous diagnosis far too long when what explanation to a question – the explanation the patient needs is a complete reassessthat makes the fewest assumptions to fit ment. This is one of the most compelling available data. arguments for patients receiving second Indeed, this approach is known as “Ocopinions. cam’s razor” and is the most famous rule of One of the most interesting cases diagnosis taught in medical school. Within that I have encountered in my medical medicine, this rule is sometimes abbrevicareer occurred when I spent a month ated to mean that a doctor should seek one studying at Stanford University. A patient single unifying diagnosis that explains all presented to Stanford’s dermatology clinic of a patient’s complaints instead of trying with a tumor near her optic nerve and with to explain five complaints with five discertain birthmarks of her skin. She was eases. For example, if a patient has a tick sent by the ophthalmology department to bite, rash, fever, headache and confusion, the dermatology department for an opinion perhaps a single tick-borne illness explains on whether the eye tumor was related to the all the symptoms and the patient can be birthmarks. treated accordingly rather than delaying The stakes were high. If the eye tumor treatment and introducing risk to perform was deemed connected to the skin findspinal taps, MRIs or other investigations to ings, then the ophthalmologists planned search for second, third or fourth diseases. on watchful waiting and observation of the Occam’s razor might sound like obvitumor. If not, then they planned surgery ous and sage advice. Unfortunately, it which could result in blindness in that eye. proves wrong often enough that a Dr. John I spent hours researching the embryology of Hickam, former departmental head of her findings and discovered reasons to bemedicine at Indiana University, felt the need lieve that the patient’s tumor was very likely to remind students that Occam’s Razor an atypical presentation of a disease called is sometimes wrong. He coined Hickam’s segmental neurofibromatosis. I concluded Dictum, which states “patients can have as that the tumor and the birthmarks were many diseases as they [darn] well please.” very likely part of a single syndrome. (Dr. Hickam used the other D word, but we When I presented the case at Stanmay have children in the audience.) ford’s dermatology grand rounds, Occam, How often is Occam’s razor wrong? Hickam, and Crabtree all showed up. Great In my physical diagnosis class in medical debate ensued. The first professor to speak school, a professor taught us that there was argued for the optic nerve tumor being una study of inpatients admitted at a universi- related to the birthmarks. Other professors ty hospital in which the researchers looked found my evidence for a syndrome convincat how often at least two diagnoses were ing. When the first professor found herself necessary to account for the patient’s chief outnumbered, she doubled down and complaint. The result? One third of the bludgeoned her way into arguing that the time at least two diseases were to blame. data was not only weak but actually backed Hickam’s dictum counterbalances Occam’s her argument. razor and reminds us of not becoming How did things turn out? The patient nearsighted or prematurely triumphant chose observation instead of surgery. My upon reaching a plausible single diagnosis. visit to Stanford ended, but I corresponded Sometimes two or more diseases are to with a professor there, and the last update blame. Sometimes, the patient in respirathat I received was that the patient was dotory distress has the flu and covid. ing well with no further growth of the tumor A third rule, Crabtree’s Bludgeon on subsequent MRIs. might be my favorite. Who doesn’t love a I hope that you enjoyed this peek into good bludgeon? (You can tell I am a father diagnosis within medicine. For readers with of boys). Crabtree’s bludgeon says that children or grandchildren, I suggest that the a motivated individual will figure out an lessons to be learned from Occam, Hickam intelligible method of explaining away a set and Crabtree are worth sharing and have of contradictions, no matter how contradic- relevance far beyond the field of medicine. tory they are and how wrong they might be. If you or a loved one has a possible skin This rule hints at the extent to which we cancer or any medical or cosmetic skincare humans often doggedly stick to a certain need, please consider Premier Dermatolconviction or belief despite all the evidence ogy and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent to the contrary. New evidence says we might Taylor, Kathryn Filipek, PA-C and our wonbe wrong? No problem. We simply reason derful staff are honored to take care of you out elaborate new rules and exceptions that and your family.

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AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 15

Why shouldn’t I just add my child’s name to my house? Brought to you by – Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC

PEXELS

A.I.R. your emotions Navigating grief with acknowledgment, identification, and release Brought to you by - Line Fleming, Licensed Professional Counselor | Summit Counseling Center Grief is what we experience when dealing with loss. Examples include loss of someone we love, loss of physical ability, or loss of a relationship. We grieve what is no longer there. Grief is a process we must journey through in our own time. We can use Grief Skills to help process emotions. One skill is A.I.R. Your Emotions: Acknowledge, Identify, and Release. • Acknowledge what you are feeling. “I’m feeling sad.” “I’m feeling anxious.” Say this out loud or write it down. Acknowledging your feelings assists with slowing down and connecting with your emotions. • Identify the thought connected to the emotion. “I’m anxious because

I heard a song and I thought about…” It’s ok to sit with these feelings and thoughts and experience them in the moment. • Once you’ve acknowledged the emotion and identified the thought, Release them. Take deep breaths while clenching and opening your fists. This will help release the emotion and thoughts. This Grief Skill may seem awkward at first but will become more of a habit as you practice it and will help process emotions and thoughts related to grief. If you or a loved one are struggling with signs of grief, Summit Counseling Center is here to help. We have a team of trained and experienced therapists available to walk alongside you through this season. Visit our website to view our services, meet our therapists, and schedule an appointment at www. summitcounseling.org.

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When you add a child to the deed for your home, you are transferring an interest in your home while you are living, and you are giving up the option to save on Capital Gains Taxes. Capital gains tax is a tax assessed on the profit that is made when real estate is sold. If you purchase a home for $200,000 and you sell it for $400,000, then you’ve made $200,000 in profit. When you add your child to your house as a joint owner, the child will be taxed on the difference between what the parent initially paid and what the sale price is. There is no step up in basis when a child is added as a joint tenant to a deed during a parent’s lifetime. The step-up in basis occurs when a property is transferred at death. When the child sells the parent’s home after they pass away, the child is not taxed based on the amount a parent initially paid for the home

called the parent’s “basis” in the property. The IRS changes the basis at death to the value of the property at the parent’s date of death. This is called the Step-up in Basis. The child is only taxed on the change in value from the parent’s date of death to the date of sale. The bottom line is that the child who is added to a deed as a joint owner, may wind up paying $25,000 in capital gains taxes or more especially after Georgia properties appreciated in value by 21% in 2021. Capital gains tax can be significantly reduced or avoided with the step-up in basis in a trust. At Wilson Legal, we believe the best lives are lived intentionally and by design. When you come in as our client, we will give you this and other tips for saving time, money and taxes for both you and your loved ones. We can preserve your tax savings by using a trust. Set up your strategy session to ask us how this and other benefits could work for you.

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16 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

Tracking the history of the Webb families The Webb families are numerous and widespread. According to House of Names, Webb is the 125th most popular surname in the United States with an estimated 179,000 people with BOB MEYERS Columnist that name. I appreciate the assistance of several people in the preparation of this column: Judy Webb, Pat Miller, Connie Mashburn and Ed Malowney, all of whom are steeped in the history of North Fulton County. Thanks also to Brent Lerch, an “avid reader” of “Preserving the Past,” for suggesting as a subject the Web family and “how deeply invested they were in the history of the Alpharetta/Ocee/ Milton area.” Perhaps we should start with Clinton Toliver Webb, born in North Carolina in 1778, moved to Georgia, raised a family, died and was buried in Alpharetta in 1862. While he and his wife, Jane Christian Robinson (1777-1872), were not the first Webs to immigrate to the United States, they were probably among the first to settle in Georgia. They are buried in Old Big Creek Cemetery in Alpharetta. According to Judy Webb, they had 12 children who gave life to 40 offspring. Pat Miller says that by the early 1920s, seven generations following Clinton Webb, there were nearly 150 Webb descendants in the North Fulton area, including spouses and many more after that. Most of the descendants remained in the North Fulton area although some lived in Cherokee and Forsyth Counties. Through marriage with other local families, many if not most families are somehow linked genetically. Surnames, such as Paris, Martin, Maxell, Shirley, Buice, Bagwell, Morton, Devore, Mansell, McGinnis, Medlock, Mayfield, Strickland, Phillips and other well-known names intermarried with the Webbs. The name means “weaver” in Old English and can be traced back to the Norman conquest of 1066. Locally, various branches of the Webb family exist, some individuals with the same names or initials as previous generations which makes researching the family more challenging. Judy Webb and her husband Lewis Webb graduated from Milton High School in 1966. Judy taught school in Cobb County and Fulton County for 41 years. After serving in Vietnam, Lewis created software for AT&T and later

The Webb Hotel, later the Alpharetta Hotel, opened in 1908. It was known for its white linen tablecloths and shops on the first floor facing the street. The sign says “Norman and Trammell General Merchants. formed his own company. In 1981 they built a home on family land purchased in 1942 from the Buice family by Lewis’ parents Horace David Webb and Violet Lenora Burgess in the Ocee Community. One of the most repeated Webb stories concerns Add James Webb (1886–1924) who was related to Lewis Webb. During the Civil War, the federal government began to tax luxury goods such as liquor and tobacco. Distillation went underground to avoid taxes which led to Prohibition in 1920. Moonshiners transported their illegal product in souped-up, high-speed cars from its source north of Atlanta to the lucrative Atlanta market. Their cars sped through Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and other towns. Milton County Special Officer Add Webb was shot and beaten to death Nov. 7, 1924, after police chased a car for some 10 miles near the community of Newtown. The car suddenly stopped near Holcomb Bridge. The suspects shot, then beat the officers, killing Webb and seriously wounding the second officer, Verd Eison. In February 1925 two of the participants turned themselves in but were acquitted in court after claiming that one of their guns accidentally discharged during the struggle. In March 1925, they were indicted for murder by a grand jury. In December they were acquitted but were fined $250 for assault and battery. The third participant surrendered after Christmas and declared his innocence. Connie Mashburn’s book “Alpharetta, Milton County The Early

FIND A GRAVE

Add James Webb, a Milton County police officer, was killed by moonshiners in 1924 when he and another officer attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle near Holcomb bridge. The tragedy generated a great deal of media coverage for many months.

The J.J. Webb Building was constructed in 1910 in downtown Alpharetta. It was home to many businesses. The second floor was used for entertainment functions. The building was purchased by the Brady family in the 1930s and has been referred to as the Webb/Brady building ever since. In the 1930s a bowling alley, pool table and snack bar were installed on the second floor.

Years,” tells the story of Alpharetta’s early hotels and commercial buildings. The R.J. Webb building, known as the Webb Hotel and later the Alpharetta Hotel, began operations in 1908. The hotel dining room had white linen tablecloths and waiters dressed in white jackets. Beginning in the late 1910s other families took over the hotel. By the late 1960s, the building was empty except for a few residents and had deteriorated. It was demolished in the 1970s. R.J. built several other buildings in downtown Alpharetta, including the Adventist School and Church. He and J.J. Webb built the Webb Guano

House in 1901. Years later, the building was demolished to make way for the Hamilton Hotel which opened in 2021. J.J. also built the J.J. Webb and Sons Building in 1910 which included the Bates Grocery, Milton County Bank, Shirley Brothers store and a post office. C.P. Brady purchased the building in 1934 where he operated a Chevrolet dealership. Judy Webb reports that John Webb was a prosperous farmer who owned about 1,000 acres east of Big Creek. Webb Bridge Middle School and a post office were built on the property. Judy says, “When I was a child, my mother in-law was afraid of him. He was old with a long white beard.” John’s son Jim was a Georgia State Senator who helped draft the merger of Milton County with Fulton County in 1932. An interesting family to say the least. Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

PAST TENSE

OPINION

Dunwoody Crier 2/22/24 Crossword

PuzzleJunct AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 17

Across

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NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Black troops first arrived at WWI Camp Gordon in Chamblee in October of 1917.

Black soldiers from Georgia report to WW 1 Camp Gordon In 1917, a temporary World War I training camp was constructed on 2,000 acres in Chamblee. U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Leonard Wood visited Atlanta to find suitable land, VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF near the railroad and with a good water supColumnist ply. Today, DeKalbPeachtree Airport is on land that was Camp Gordon. During World War II, this same land was home to Naval Air Station Atlanta. The camp opened on Sept. 5, 1917. Barracks had been constructed for 46,612 men. Sixteen similar training camps were set up across the country. The first men assigned at Camp Gordon were White men from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. Later, men were sent to Camp Gordon from all over the country and it became primarily a replacement facility. (“Atlanta’s Camp Gordon,” James Knettel) In September of 1917, the Atlanta Constitution announced the arrival of 3,755 Black soldiers at Camp Gordon on Oct. 3. Barracks were constructed for Black recruits in the northeastern section of the camp, separated by a strip of empty land. According to the National Archives, over 380,000 Black men served in the Army during WW1, with over 200,000 being sent overseas. Over half of them were assigned to labor and stevedore battalions. They performed essential work such as building roads, bridges and trenches; and unloading and loading ships. In November 1917, 1,300 Black soldiers from Camp Gordon were sent overseas to France, primarily as part of service battalions. (Atlanta Constitution, November

11, 1917). Black soldiers who were sent overseas later and became part of the 92nd and 93rd divisions, fought alongside French soldiers. This included the 369th, 370th, 371st, and 372nd Infantries. According to army.mil, the 370th Infantry was the only one to be commanded by Black soldiers. Joe Roberson, Henry Mitchell Vaughan and E.C. Obean were among Black recruits who reported to WW1 Camp Gordon. Roberson, born in 1896, is listed on a record of soldiers ordered to Camp Gordon from Valdosta on April 29, 1918. He began in the 157th Depot Brigade, but later became part of the 372nd Infantry Company E, and eventually was a machine gunner in the 372nd. He returned to the U.S. aboard the ship Leviathan on Feb. 11, 1919. Feb. 12, the Atlanta Journal reported around 10,000 troops were unloaded from the Leviathan at Hoboken, New Jersey, including soldiers from the 371st, 372nd, 163rd, and 368th Infantry. Henry Mitchell Vaughan of Nashville, Georgia, was inducted April 13, 1918 and instructed to report to Camp Gordon. He began his service in the 157th Depot Brigade, but later was part of the 370th Infantry sent overseas. He served overseas from July 1, 1918, until Feb. 9, 1919. Among the men inducted at Hamilton, Georgia, on July 19, 1918, was E.C. Obean. He was born in Fortson, Georgia, in 1892. Obean reported to Camp Gordon and served in the 157th Depot Brigade. He later served overseas with Company B 584 Engineers. Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Sandy Springs. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

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1 Rush job notation 17 18 16 5 Grow dim 20 21 19 9 Graf ___ 22 23 24 13 Wise one 14 Between ports 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 15 Lagers 33 34 35 16 Arab chieftain 32 17 After pencil 37 38 39 36 and knife 41 42 43 40 19 Toy 20 Gymnast’s goal 46 47 44 45 21 Woodworking 48 49 50 tools 22 Store sign 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 24 Quote 60 58 59 25 Tuck was one 27 Bubble source 61 62 63 28 Challenge 65 66 64 32 Intends 33 Singer Vaughan Copyright ©2024 PuzzleJunction.com 35 Accomplished 8 Corn serving 60 Amazes 33 Old TV hit, with 36 Actor Wallach 9 Had a hunch 58 Down 37 Mexican liquor 61 Certain exams 10 Chick’s sound 34 Be the ghost 62 Affirm 39 Captain’s 11 Flubs 63 Ooze 38 Cultural journal 64 GOP rivals 12 Sharp curve 43 Weirdo 40 Family girl 15 Exhausted 65 Red Planet 45 Goes sour, like 41 Opus 18 Aboriginal 66 Whirlpool milk 42 Bind 23 Sticky stuff 47 Forest gods 44 Fires Down 24 Radium 49 Love god 46 Cow chow discoverer 50 Lake filler 47 Disregards 25 Odd Couple 1 Ancient 51 Paltry 48 Remain character 2 Kind of 52 Garden figure unsettled wrestling 26 Up the ante 53 Cheer starter 50 Light bulb unit 27 Garish 3 Seed covering 55 Was in debt 51 Native New 4 Swipe 29 Improvise 56 Exploit Zealander 30 Thigh-slappers 57 Notice 5 Quicker 53 Tank 6 Pallid 31 Brink 58 See 33 Down 54 Secret message 7 Campus bigwig 32 Arizona city 59 Battering device 58 Averageness See solution Page 22

Solution on next page

18 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

AIKENOMICS

Refinances move sharply higher Refinances moved exceptionally higher this week as more and more folks are looking to giving up their below 4% mortgage rates in exchange for high 6% mortgage rates to pay off their accumulated D.C. AIKEN debt. On the surface, Guest Columnist dcaiken.com this sounds crazy, but is it? According to Black Knight, the average home in the U.S. has over $300,000 in untapped equity, and the average home has a loan-to-value of less than 46%. While credit card and unsecured consumer debt levels have risen to all-time highs, the average credit score in the U.S. is a surprising 715, which is truly fascinating. It seems like our average citizen is “partying like it is 1999” and has run their credit to their limit or to a point where they will never pay it off. “I have room on my credit card; I need that new table.” Probably not a good idea, but it happens every day, and the next thing you know, you now have a $20,000 balance and are maxed out on your credit card. Just like many parties, the hangover the day after is painful, and this “hangover” in the long term could be very painful for the average homeowner if this economy begins tightening up soon. A sample scenario Let's assume you decide to do a cashout refinance for a total of $550,000 at an estimated rate of 6.75% on a 30-year fixed rate, which would pay off, prior to paying any closing cost or escrows, the three debts mentioned above, as well as your current 4% mortgage. The result of this new mortgage payment would be roughly $3,550 per month. In this example scenario, you would save over $800 per month on these four debts, which is a nice chunk of change. If you rack up more debt or splurge on big purchases after paying off your mortgage, you're just putting yourself back in debt and increasing your financial stress. It's only a good idea if you can control your spending and stick to a plan. Hope you have a nice remainder of the week, and be careful out there! D.C. Aiken is vice president, producing production manager for BankSouth Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com. The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of BankSouth Mortgage or its affiliates.

OPINION

Waiting for baseball, the Masters and spring It’s tough to not quote Dusty Rhodes, the late professional wrestler who cut a classic promo that decried how he was going through “hard times.” It was a masterful blurb of showmanship. If MIKE TASOS you’re bored waiting Columnist for spring, look it up on YouTube and enjoy. For sports fans, these are not “salad days.” We wait like a good boy at Christmas, making ourselves giddy with anticipation of all the delights of springtime. But before we can get excited about baseball, we are forced to deal with annual buzzkill, which arrives at a different date or month every year. Of course, I’m referring to Ash Wednesday, which isn’t a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, but a day that you are nonetheless expected to be present to have your forehead “smudged.” It has been my observation that there all types of “smudges” that are worn after attending mass on the day that is somewhat of the green flag for signaling that an Easter feast is a mere

40 days down the road. It’s been my experience that different priests put their own personal touch when they dole out ashes. Some barely leave a trace while others go all-in, leaving residue that might necessitate lots of soap and two or three washcloths. Some years ago, I was instructed by a less enlightened non-Catholic trying to be helpful to: “Go wash your face. Your forehead is nasty.” Lent is never a barrelful of laughs, nor is it meant to be. There are some brighter points in the season of sack cloths and ashes. For instance, there are Friday fish dinners galore at most Catholic parishes. The events are usually quite festive and a perfect opportunity to mingle and make friends. If eating fish doesn’t float your boat, there’s solace in knowing the Atlanta Braves will be playing the Tampa Bay Rays as the curtain rises for spring training baseball beginning Feb. 24. The regular season begins Thursday March 28 in Philadelphia. No love lost there. The home opener is Friday April 5 when the Arizona Diamondbacks will visit Truist Park. For you who like to plan ahead, the season closes on Sunday, Sept. 29. The sports calendar fills up with

March Madness and a full slate of NASCAR races for fans who like to watch screaming, speeding machines that never seem to make a right turn. Let’s not forget there’s a little golf tournament in Augusta that begins the weekend of April 11. You know the venue will be gorgeous. Here’s hoping the Masters weekend weather will match Augusta National’s beauty. For me, I will accept the doldrums of a sports slate that is uninspiring, biding my time until baseball’s All-Star break in early July. I will take solace in knowing college football is so close. I’ll sprinkle in some summertime Black Beauty rides in the breathtaking beauty that encompass the scenery of the mountains of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. I’m counting on a healed right foot. When I’m knee deep in all this, I’ll smile and give thanks that all is right in my world. I hope you get a chance to smile too. Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail. com.

THE INK PENN

Great books can be found in an author’s back list

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

This week’s reading included earlier books by two authors whose later books I enjoyed. The first is part of a cozy mystery series. The second is a standalone novel. Both are set in England, but they’re different genres.

“Death of a Cozy Writer” by G. M. Maillet I read Malliet’s Max Tudor cozy mysteries eons ago and had a hankering to check out her St. Just series. The Max Tudor series features an Anglican priest as the main character. Det. Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just is the likeable main character in Book I— “Death of a Cozy Writer.” This 2008 entry in the series won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel and was nominated for many other awards, including the Macavity and the Anthony. Set at a house party in a manor house in the English countryside, the mystery involves family intrigue that stretches over 40 years until, of course,

it ends in murder. That a cozy mystery author is a central character made my day. I may write cozy mysteries, but I’ve yet to be involved in a real-life murder mystery and hope I never am. Imagining murders is enough for me. The author includes a helpful cast of characters in the front, and it was reading her Max Tudor mysteries that inspired me to include one in my books, too. It’s a feature that my readers often comment on. The fifth book in the St. Just series comes out later this year, and I plan to read the next several so I’m ready. “Ghosted” by Rosie Walsh Billed variously as romantic suspense, sisters fiction, and women’s friendship fiction, this love story is a page-turner. Sarah and Eddie meet, spend a week together, and fall instantly in love. She’s visiting England from her home in California, and he’s off on a vacation with a friend. They plan to connect when he returns from his week away — but he ghosts her. Therein lies the mystery. Is Eddie like every other man who’s ghosted a woman? How can that be when he expressed his undying love for Sarah?

She can’t believe he ghosted her and worries that something awful has happened to him. He’s disappeared from social media and disconnected his phone. She does everything she can to locate him before returning heartbroken to California. This alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming love story-cum-mystery kept me guessing until the very end. If I hadn’t already read Walsh’s second book, “The Love of My Life,” I’d be off to get it. It was that 2022 book that sent me in search of “Ghosted,” and I honestly can’t say that one is better than the other. My hope is that Walsh will soon release a third book. Meanwhile, I’ve got the St. Just and Max Tudor mysteries to keep me busy, not to mention all the other books on my TBR list. Can there ever be too many? Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook. com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 19

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GET OUTSIDE GEORGIA

OPINION

Fulfilling wish of being weightless as a feather Remember the Sears Wish Book? Okay, I’m dating myself with that one. But if you’re of a certain age, I’ll bet you know exactly what I’m talking about. You may remember, too, the hours and hours STEVE HUDSON you (that is, I) spent Columnist immersed in its pages, thinking of all the fun you (that is, I again) could have with a genuine die-cast fire truck or an electric race car set with four authentically detailed cars or, if I was really good, an honest-to-goodness old-fashioned tree swing. I really wanted that swing. I really wanted to get it going, to see how high I could go, to arc up-up-upwards till my feet were far from the ground and my head was in the clouds and I was weightless as a feather, over and over again... Yeah, it was good to be young. Fast-forward a few years (we won’t say how many). These days, the nature of wishes has evolved. But they’re still there. And so… The other weekend, we took a day and went to the Atlanta Camping and RV Show.

“Let’s look at the campers!” she said. She is seriously into this camping thing, let me tell you, and we are having a blast with it. Our home in the woods is a tent, which she somehow magically transforms into a palatial estate, and it’s grand. But there’s always that wish book fantasy, right? And so we start by looking at the campers. Let me tell you. Campers are serious business. We look at the little pull-behinds, including a cute pink one with a retro look. She likes that. We look at some fancy popups, including some high-tech models that fold into compact packages but unfold into country estates. She likes those too. We look at the full-fledged drive-your-ownhouse mobile homes, diesel-driven luxury on wheels. “One could get used to that,” I say. We look at the price tags. Wow. “Maybe we’ll stick with the tent,” I say. “Yes, maybe so,” she says. We start to make our way back to the car. But on the way, without even knowing it, we stumble across another wish, one just waiting to be granted. What’s this? Oh boy! A tree swing! Suddenly that Wish Book wish is alive and well! Do you remember how much fun it used to be to play in trees? To run among them? To climb them? To float back and forth on a swing tied to a limb? I do, and it all came back just then as I stepped up to the GoSwing display. GoSwing, which may be the world’s first completely portable tree swing, is the brainchild of Georgia native Matt Morgan. It’s a tree swing in the grand tradition, but it solves the big problem that has flummoxed generations of tree swing lovers: How do you take down a tree swing at day’s end so you can take it home and swing another day somewhere else? Among tree swing fans, that’s a big deal. But fear not. Matt has come to our rescue. Tree swing lovers, rejoice!

PROVIDED

GoSwing inventor Matt Morgan’s daughter Riley enjoys some time on a GoSwing tree swing. As Matt puts it, inspiration struck one day over a decade ago during a visit to Charleston, S.C. “I was walking through Battery Park,” he says, “a beautiful landscape on the ocean.” As he walked, he was struck by the park’s spectacular treescape. “The landscape included magnificent trees with large limbs that seemed to stretch out for miles,” he says, and that got him to thinking. “I thought it’d be nice to have a swing you could hang up, swing for a while, and then bring back down to take with you,” he continues. “I quickly wrote the idea down, and when I returned home, I searched to see if there was anything out there like it.” To his surprise, he found that no one had come up with the idea before. “So I started putting ideas into action,”

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he adds, and the rest – as they say – is history. Matt’s GoSwing is elegant. It features a wood swing seat and a rope, of course. Those are tree swing essentials. But the brilliance is in the patented system he developed for getting the swing out of the tree at day’s end. You can see it for yourself on his website, goswing.net. At first, Matt made each swing by hand in his own workshop, one or two at a time. He sold his first one in 2014. “My first customer was a childhood friend,” he recalls, adding, “I’ve still got the check.” But as demand began to grow, he outsourced the manufacturing. Now he manages the business in his spare time. “My only marketing time is after the kids go to bed,” he says. To date, Matt has sold close to a thousand GoSwings, either through his website or through mom-and-pop shops or at festivals and fairs. But he looks for the numbers to grow, and he’s already planning his next product – a lightweight molded plastic version, just the thing to fit in a daypack. As Matt sees it, though, GoSwing is more than just a business. He sees it as a way to help families connect with one another while enjoying the outdoors. “I’m trying to get kids and families off their screens and phones and back outside,” he says. He’s doing it, too. And I wonder if he knew that he was granting a Wish Book wish along the way?

AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek | Johns Creek Herald | February 22, 2024 | 21

Continued from Page 3 Longstanding effort Bradberry also listed a number of work studies completed for the project like the mayor-appointed Legacy Center Working Group which consulted the Legacy Center Task Force for a 12-page report presented in December 2022. The document detailed the potential scope and funding mechanisms for the performing arts center. “We do know a lot more than we did just a year ago,” he said. The task force, a separate organization, was headed by the late J. Wayne Baughman, founder and former conductor of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. “It’s the missing puzzle piece that Johns Creek has known that we lack, that we need and we could really use but we have not had,” Bradberry said, quoting Baughman. As a compromise, Bradberry offered that the hotel/motel tax be split to fund both the construction documents and public art. The majority agreed to move forward with the decision, though there was dissent from Councilwoman Stacy Skinner. Skinner had acknowledged that funding for projects outlined in the Capital Improvement Plan draft had not been discussed at the coun-

cil’s retreat and wanted to have that conversation first. The City Council is scheduled to officially vote on the item at its regular meeting March 4, where specific amounts will be identified for each project. Election discussion continues In other matters at the work session, the City Council continued discussion on the possibility of Johns Creek conducting its own municipal election in 2025. Since last April, Johns Creek has been working with an election consultant, former Secretary of State General Counsel Ryan Germany. His work, which has cost the city around $15,000 according to invoices obtained through an open records request, was called into question. “I had expected the consultant that we hired to be someone that would walk us through the process, but I think perhaps they were hired to do something else,” Councilwoman Skinner said. Several line items listed on Germany’s invoices to the city, spanning from July to December 2023, were dedicated to reviewing “coverage” of Milton’s municipal election. Appen Media followed Milton’s effort closely throughout last year. At the work session, Assistant City Manager Ron Bennett told the council Milton’s final report on its election

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has not yet been completed, which will be used to help inform Johns Creek’s decision. While nuts and bolts still need ironing out, city staff has estimated a self-conducted municipal election to cost around $1.3 million for a twoyear cycle, which includes an in-house staffing structure. Fulton County charged Johns Creek $462,309 for its 2023 general municipal election and has not yet provided the city with cost reconciliation, in part due to a cybersecurity attack that has affected the county’s system for weeks. For a follow-up, Mayor Bradberry asked that city staff explore the potential for North Fulton cities to collaborate on self-conducted municipal elections in 2025, the same scenario that had been proposed last January. “What would such an organization look like? What would the advantages or disadvantages be to us here?” Bradberry asked. “I think that's another big piece of the puzzle, but one that I think maybe is going to provide some real benefits, making it easier on all the member cities that might participate.” At the regular meeting following the work session, the City Council voted to defer approval of the city’s Revitalization Plan, which looks at redevelopment of the four corners of the intersection of Medlock Bridge and State Bridge roads. The item will come back before the council April 15.

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Staff: Continued from Page 1 “It’s a loss to me personally because I was so fond of Randall, and in his role as economic development director, he did a lot to propel us forward economically,” Mayor John Bradberry said in an interview. “Boston Scientific is something that I don’t think we would have landed without his expertise. He was a very valuable member of our staff team, and he’ll be missed a great deal.” Greer said other highlights under Toussaint include Providence Christian Academy, Center for Dry Eyes Atlanta, and the YiFan Restaurant and Event Center. Johns Creek Event Coordinator Stacey Gross, departing after a year and some change with the city, helped launch a number of special events, like the city’s Diwali, Lunar New Year and Juneteenth celebrations as well as its Literary Fair. “Stacy did a great job and really helped build greater community, which was our hope through these events” Bradberry said. “I know that I was very fond of her, and I think all the people that worked with her were fond of her.”

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on January 29, 2024 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage & Wine BUSINESS NAME Nonnina’s Pizzeria & Cucina LLC Dba Nonnina’s Pizzeria 9950 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 1100 Johns Creek, GA 30022 OWNER/OFFICERS Nonnina’s Pizzeria & Cucina LLC Dba Nonnina’s Pizzeria 9950 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 1100 Johns Creek, GA 30022 Owners, Elsy Sierra Ruben Dario Garcia Amaya

22 | February 22, 2024 | Johns Creek Herald | AppenMedia.com/Johns_Creek

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