Johns Creek Herald - May 16, 2024

Rallying for a beautiful cause

Johns Creek Beautification members sort daffodil bulbs with high school volunteers as part of Daffodils4Hope, a planting campaign in partnership with CanCare Atlanta — a nonprofit that provides counseling support to cancer patients and caregivers. Since the program’s inception six years ago, more than 1,100 volunteers have planted 52,250 daffodils around Johns Creek. See story on page 8

Johns Creek moves ahead on arts center

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The wheels are continuing to move on a years-long effort to construct an arts facility in Johns Creek.

During its work session May 6, the City Council agreed to hire a consultant to draft a concept for the space as part of a nationwide search. Councilmembers also set parameters on the venue’s seating capacity, from 500 to 1,000 seats.

“To me, this is a logical next phase in this journey towards hopefully one day having a performance hall in Johns Creek,” Mayor John Bradberry said.

In early March, the City Council approved spending some $200,000 in hotel/motel tax collections on construction documents for the performing arts center, acting as a placeholder until a location is confirmed.

At the work session, Assistant City Manager Ron Bennett said his hope is that the consultant could provide preliminary construction costs. Once the project goes to bid and a consultant is hired, he said the work should take up to six months to complete.

More than a dozen leaders and stakeholders in the city’s arts and culture community keyed on the discussion, applauding the momentum.

See FACILITY, Page 27

LYNN PENNINGTON/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.

Loganville man arrested for attacking former boss

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 48-year-old Loganville man April 30 for striking his former employer at a business on Jones Bridge Road after demanding money for previous work.

The victim told police the suspect demanded money that had been taken out of his check. The victim said he told the suspect he would not be paid until he repaid $200 that had been taken from the business, according to the incident report.

The employer described to police a heated exchange that took place afterward, which he recorded. He told police that when he told the suspect he was going to call 911, the suspect struck him on his left hand and snatched the phone, the report says.

While the suspect denied hitting the victim, surveillance footage showed the suspect aggressively approaching the victim and hit his hand before taking the cell phone, according to the report.

Police arrested and charged the suspect for simple battery, hindering persons making emergency telephone calls and robbery sudden snatching. Police transported the suspect to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.

Police arrest driver for trafficking drugs

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 38-year-old Alpharetta driver May 2 after police discovered 35 grams of methamphetamine and marijuana in their vehicle during a traffic stop on State Bridge Road.

Police pulled the suspect over in their white Ford Fusion because one of their headlights was out and smelled a faint odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, according to the incident report.

After the suspect admitted to smoking marijuana before entering the vehicle, police conducted a probable search and found two THC cartridges, two bags of methamphetamine, one bag of marijuana and paraphernalia, the report says.

Police also confirmed that the suspect had a warrant for their arrest out of Barton County Sheriff's Office in Kansas for the possession of marijuana, the report says.

Police charged the suspect with trafficking illegal drugs, possession of schedule I substance, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, possession of drug-related objects and unsafe vehicle or equipment.

Police transported the suspect to the North Fulton Jail in Alpharetta.

Burglars steal valuables from couple’s residence

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek couple reported to police May 2 that their home on Grandview Square had been burglarized of thousands of dollars’ worth of gold bricks and accessories.

When police cleared the residence, they observed the home to be ransacked with several dresser drawers and cabinet doors opened as well as items scattered around the residence, according to the incident report.

The pair reported $20,000 in gold bricks were missing as well as $25,000 in jewelry, four purses valued at $3,500 and a $600 handgun from their master bedroom.

The scene was turned over to detectives.

Police charge couple with drug possession

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a Johns Creek couple May 5 after receiving notification on a silver Lexus, showing active warrants on the registered owner.

Police approached the vehicle at a gas station on Old Alabama Road, finding a male in the driver’s seat who appeared to be unconscious and a female in the passenger’s seat slumped over, holding a piece of tin foil, a lighter and a straw to her mouth, according to the incident report.

The driver, a 27-year-old man, had active warrants for simple battery family

violence and criminal trespass violence out of Johns Creek and an active warrant from the Georgia State University Police Department for larceny.

The passenger, a 24-year-old woman, also had a warrant for a failure to appear out of Johns Creek.

Police conducted a search of the vehicle, discovering a plastic bag containing 10 oxycodone pills and two pill containers, each containing a purple rock which tested positive for fentanyl, the report says.

Police also found nearly $8,000 in rolled bills, submitted for evidence in addition to the drugs.

Both suspects were charged with two counts of possession of schedule II substance as well as possession and use of drug-related objects. The driver was transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta, while the passenger was released to seek medical treatment.

Smyrna man arrested for possession of meth

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police arrested a 22-year-old Smyrna man April 27 during a patrol near Old Dogwood and Holcomb Bridge roads at the Exxon gas station.

Officers said they found the man behind the business, which had previously trespassed him.

When the officers asked the suspect if he had drugs on him, they said he removed a piece of tin foil from his pocket with methamphetamine inside.

Officers also said they found a THC cartridge, which they submitted to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for testing.

The suspect told officers he knew he was not supposed to be at the location and was behind the business to avoid detection.

When officers told the suspect they were going to arrest him on drug possession charges, they said he began to scream and act in an erratic manner.

Officers said they were able to calm him down and transport him to Fulton County Jail.

Officers obtained warrants for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, obstruction and criminal trespass.

Federal agency invites local initiatives

Dollars made available for clean energy plans

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Regional Commission Board heard a presentation May 8 from a representative of the U.S. Treasury Department on its direct pay program for clean energy initiatives.

The program, part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, offers tax-exempt organizations, specifically local governments and public schools, federal money to offset project costs associated with clean energy, like electric vehicles.

Nonprofit organizations, like charities, could also be eligible for the assistance.

David Eichenthal, a senior policy adviser with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Inflation Reduction Act Implementation Office, said the legislation created more than 20 tax incentives for clean energy and manufacturing.

The projected impact of the bill on inflation is disputed.

One role of the U.S. Treasury Department, responsible for major

elements of the law, is to implement tax incentives for investments in clean energy and manufacturing.

Individuals are eligible for federal tax credits for the purchase of a qualifying clean vehicle purchase and energy improvements to their home.

Most of the tax incentives apply exclusively to businesses, revolving around energy generation and carbon capture, vehicles, manufacturing, fuels, energy efficiency and healthcare.

For many of the incentives, bonuses are available to increase private sector investment in energy security and climate.

Eichenthal almost exclusively discussed the direct pay program and its 12 available tax credits.

The Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy and the Internal Revenue Service developed tax regulations and guidance to implement the act’s energy credits and other tax law changes.

See ARC, Page 28

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

David Eichenthal, senior policy adviser with the U.S. Treasury Department, speaks on the Inflation Reduction Act’s direct pay program May 8 to the Atlanta Regional Commission Board. Eichenthal promoted the act’s direct pay program for tax-exempt organizations, like local governments.

Milton Historical Society plans annual Spring Fling

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton Historical Society will host its third annual Spring Fling May 18, featuring food, music, bourbon tasting and a collection of local historical artifacts.

Charlie and Sarah Roberts will host the event at the Roberts Party Barn, 13645 Freemanville Road, from 7 to 10 p.m., to include a delicious spread, select wines and specialty cocktails.

Music will be provided by The Bourbon Brothers Band, an upscale jazz band that will perform in their signature ’50s black suits and ties as they sing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin favorites along with hits of today.

The Milton Package Store will add to the evening with bourbon tasting.

“This year’s Spring Fling will be

an unforgettable evening on a beautiful and scenic 25-acre property in Milton,” said Jeff Dufresne, president of the Milton Historical Society. “It is sure to be an exceptional experience for those fortunate enough to attend.”

Since 2018, the Milton Historical Society has been sharing a love of history with the local community by sponsoring a variety of programs to interest and involve individuals, families and businesses.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person with all proceeds going to support the activities of the Historical Society. To register for the Spring Fling, or to become a patron or corporate sponsor of the organization, visit https://www.miltonhistoricalsociety-georgia.org.

Vietnam Veterans president to honor past chapter leader

CUMMING, Ga. — Georgia Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America is hosting a visit by National President Jack McManus of the Vietnam Veterans of America as he participates in the May 15 recognition dinner for Gary Goyette, the past president of the local chapter.

McManus will be among the dignitaries honoring Goyette on his many

accomplishments during his six years at the helm of Chapter 1030. Sheriff Ron Freeman and Mayor Troy Brumbalow will also participate in the ceremony.

The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Cumming Parks and Recreation Activities Building at 437 Pilgrim Mill Road in Cumming.

For more information contact Marty Farrell at 770 500-7234.

Atlanta business wins

’24 Good Food Award

PORTLAND, Ore. — Farmers Jam, an Atlanta-based business that creates natural jams sourced from local and organic farms, earned a 2024 Good Food Award at a ceremony in Portland, Oregon.

The business, founded by James Carr — a Milton High School graduate and former account executive with Appen Media Group, earned the award in the Elixir category with its Strawberry Lemon Cocktail Syrup.

Chosen through a rigorous blind tasting and sustainability vetting process from nearly 2,000 entries, the winners rose to the top on the basis of taste while also demonstrating an outstanding commitment to sustainable environmental and social practices.

“It is an absolute thrill to win a Good Food Award,” Carr said. “We’re honored to be alongside some amazing makers and creators who prioritize local sourcing, quality ingredients, and supporting farmers.”

Every sale for Farmers Jam contributes to the organization’s annual fruit tree fund. According to its website, Farmers Jam has helped plant more than 1,800 fruit trees and bushes on family farms since 2018.

The Good Food Awards, in its 14th year, is organized by the Good Food Foundation in collaboration with a broad community of food crafters, grocers, chefs, food writers, activists and passionate food lovers.

Farmers Jam is hosting a local celebration at Parker’s on Ponce in Decatur on May 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a specialty menu with drinks featuring Farmers Jam Cocktail Syrups in partnership with Cathead Distillery.

Proceeds from drinks purchased will generate donations to Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources.

Johns Creek schedules annual Touch-A-Truck

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek’s annual Touch-A-Truck, scheduled for May 18. will allow visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about excavators, backhoes and other big machines.

In addition to construction equipment and public safety vehicles, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities that day from 10 a.m. to noon at Johns Creek City Hall.

JAMES CARR/PROVIDED

Jason Waters and James Carr, founder of Atlanta-based Farmers Jam, celebrate the business’ 2024 Good Food Award in the Elixir category at a ceremony in Portland, Oregon with its Strawberry Lemon Cocktail Syrup. Waters is the owner of Georgia Routes, a mobile bar that uses Farmers Jam cocktail syrups.

This “good to know” moment made possible by Emory Women’s Center.

COMPREHENSIVE GYNECOLOGICAL CARE

The difference? Emory Women’s Center at Johns Creek uses research and innovation in health to provide exceptional care, close to home. From routine gynecology and menopause management, to pregnancy and specialty care, our team is here for your journey no matter where it takes you.

The di erence? Emory Women’s Center at Johns Creek uses research and innovation in health to provide exceptional care, close to home. From routine gynecology and menopause management, to high-risk pregnancies and specialty care, our team is here for your journey no matter where it takes you.

Visit emoryhealthcare.org/women to schedule an appointment.

Visit emoryhealthcare.org/women to schedule an appointment.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre co-founder leaves stage

ROSWELL, Ga. — Anita Allen Farley, co-founder and producing artistic director of the Georgia Ensemble Theatre announced her retirement, effective May 1, ending her 32 years of leadership.

She and her late husband Robert J. “Bob” Farley founded the Georgia Ensemble Theatre in 1992.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre Board of Trustees named Laurel Crowe, previously the education director, as interim artistic director.

Farley said she looks forward to spending time with family, looking after her health, pursuing hobbies and getting some much-needed relaxation.

The board announced a search is underway for a new director but has not specified a timeline.

Board President Katherine Parvis said Farley's career with the theater is exemplified by the positive impact she has had on its staff, students, audience and community.

“GET became a cornerstone of the Atlanta arts community thanks to Anita and Bob making the theater their lives’ opus,” Parvis said. “For me personally, Anita’s tireless advocacy for the organization amid challenging circumstances has been an inspiration.”

Farley began her theatrical career in 1968 after studying at The Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatrical Arts where she met her husband.

“While Anita is stepping back from the Producing Artistic Director role, we are excited that she will continue to guide the organization’s next chapter through service as a Board member,” Parvis said. “Anita’s retirement is not the end of an era. It's a celebration of a legacy that we are striving every day to live up to.”

Georgia Ensemble Theatre started

as the resident professional theatre company at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. It has since produced 31 seasons of plays and musicals — 30 years at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center and one year at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre — plus dozens of shows on tour at schools and community centers throughout Georgia.

Bob and Anita Farley were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Atlanta’s Suzi Bass Awards in 2017, with special attention paid to their long-time support of early-career and emerging artists.

For 25 of her 32 years, Farley served as managing director alongside her husband as artistic director. After Bob Farley passed away unexpectedly in 2017, Anita was appointed producing artistic director.

From its inception in 1992, in a part of Metro Atlanta without a professional theatre, the Georgia Ensemble Threatre grew under the Farleys’ leadership to a high mark of 3,000 season subscribers just before the 2020 pandemic.

Interim Artistic Director Crowe is charting a focused, financially conservative path to the future, according to the organization’s statement.

In early 2024, the GET Board of Directors voted to postpone the remainder of the Mainstage 2023-24 season due to financial challenges. Instead, the company has focused on educational programming, smaller studio productions and fundraising efforts.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre will honor Anita Farley’s career with an open house retirement party this fall.

Samantha B. Benson, MD Johns Creek: Tues., Thurs. Milton: Mon., Fri.

Kaavya Chivukula, MD Johns Creek Only

FARLEY

A shopping cart from the Community Assistance Center’s main Mini-Market at 8607 Roswell Road shows the high-quality grocery items available to families in need. The Community Assistance Center announced the average family of four is receiving food worth around $800 per month through its supplemental food program.

Community Assistance Center offers families deals on meals

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A recent analysis from the Community Assistance Center shows that the average family of four is receiving food worth around $800 per month through its supplemental food program.

The nonprofit works to eradicate food insecurity for local families in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs through weekly visits to any of the three CAC Mini-Markets in the Perimeter area.

The food pantries, which operate like a grocery store, encourage households to select groceries based on their individual needs and preferences, helping them maintain access to nutritious foods as they resolve a personal financial crisis.

Offerings in the CAC Mini-Markets include shelf-stable and fresh foods like produce, bread, meat, dairy products and prepared foods.

Every week there are different, highquality items for clients to select. There is no cost to clients for shopping at CAC Mini-Markets. Instead, they are limited to a certain amount per week based on the size of their family.

Gretty Figueroa, a food pantry manager, took a faux shopping trip at the main Mini-Market located at 8607 Roswell Road. Figueroa selected food as if she were a client shopping for a family of four.

The trip resulted in a shopping cart filled to the brim with the standard allotment for a typical client family at the Community Assistance Center.

Fresh leafy greens, new potatoes, apples, refrigerated dairy products, cans and

boxes of pantry staples, several pounds of frozen cuts of meat, pre-made fresh meals, a package of baked pastries and wholegrain breads rounded out the weekly food supplement.

“This is high-quality food that anyone would be happy to have in their kitchen,” Figueroa said.

Through food partners like the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, and Second Helpings Atlanta and local grocery stores, shelves may hold products from Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Publix, Kroger and Walmart.

Often, products suitable for dietary restrictions are available.

When Figueroa tallied the current market price of the foods in the allotment, the total came to just over $185 for the week, equating to roughly $795 per month.

The supplemental food program multiplies its impact by providing quality food and freeing up a family’s budget to pay other bills like rent, utilities and car loans.

With Metro Atlanta’s consumer price index continuing to rise, the Community Assistance Center’s supplemental food assistance program can make a real difference for neighbors in need.

To help donate to food pantries, visit www.ourcac.org/give-food.

Donations of most-needed items are welcome at the main CAC Mini-Market (8607 Roswell Road) from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER/PROVIDED

Our aim is to build a resilient ecosystem where people, wildlife and plants can thrive together for generations.

LILIANA

BRENNER, Johns Creek Beautification vice president

Johns Creek Beautification rallies for landscaping, art

June luncheon to help fund Native American sculpture

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Lynn Pennington, president of Johns Creek Beautification, is someone you see at most every cityorganized event, speaking on behalf of a nonprofit that unites people through landscaping and public art.

“If you stay close to our mission statement … it is really a way to bring people together,” said Pennington, whose wealth of energy exceeds her small frame. She stays busy, also serving as co-president to the Cultural Arts Alliance at Johns Creek and as a member of the Johns Creek Historical Society.

While Johns Creek Beautification formed in 2007, its beginnings precede the city’s incorporation with work toward beautifying medians along Medlock Bridge Road.

Over the years, the nonprofit has developed a slate of initiatives.

One can be seen throughout the city, lit up with 52,250 yellow daffodils. The organization’s planting campaign Daffodils4Hope, brought forth by more than 1,100 volunteers of all ages, is in partnership with the nonprofit CanCare Atlanta which provides counseling support to cancer patients and caregivers in the community.

Johns Creek Beautification also hosts a Secret Garden Tour every other year.

The rain-or-shine event features an array of private home gardens and the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, each with musical ensembles or solo performers, along with visual artists sharing their talents with visitors.

Pennington, co-chair to the tour, said she is seeking volunteers to lead the effort next spring with planning beginning in August.

Currently, board members are preparing for a fundraiser in June in support of a new Native American sculpture for the city’s Town Center area — 192 acres anchored by the oncoming Creekside Park, centered around the pond behind City Hall. The hub is also poised to bring retail and industry with tenants like mixed-used development Medley and biomedical engineering giant Boston Scientific.

The Native American sculpture would be the second permanent installation born from the nonprofit’s ArtSpot subcommittee.

The first, unveiled in June 2022 at the Bell and Boles roads roundabout, is Entwined Strength by artist Eric Strauss. Its vine-like form, created from 4,000 pounds of hot forged steel, honors the diverse community members and its leaders who pulled together to create a new city.

Pennington envisions the new sculpture to showcase thousands of years of Native American history that covers what is now Johns Creek, beyond

Artist Eric Strauss stands with his sculpture Entwined Strength at a ribbon-tying ceremony in June 2022 at the Bell and Boles roads roundabout. The sculpture was the first permanent public art installation born from Johns Creek Beautification’s ArtSpot subcommittee. Currently, the nonprofit is in the fundraising stage for a second sculpture, themed around Native American history. See BEAUTY, Page 9

LYNN PENNINGTON/PROVIDED

BUSINESSPOSTS

Johns Creek Beautification President Lynn Pennington, center, works a stand April 13 at the Daffodil Days market with volunteers and board members of the nonprofit. Johns Creek Beautification boasts a slate of initiatives related to its mission to enhance the city’s landscape.

Beauty:

Continued from Page 8

the known Cherokee Nation. She said its intended location, close to City Hall, would allow it to become a symbol of unity and respect for indigenous peoples, showcasing a commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

“In the research, we found out that Native Americans were in the Johns Creek area for 14,000 years,” she said. “There is nothing that really shows that history in Johns Creek yet, so through art we hope to … capture history, heritage.”

The impetus for the project dates to around 2015, a collaboration between the now-defunct Newtown Park Community Foundation and that year’s Leadership Johns Creek class, which included former CEO of Emory Johns Creek Marilyn Margolis.

The group set its eyes on a stone sculpture, a work that could endure the weather, akin to Native American petroglyphs found around the Southeast in places like Blairsville.

But, Pennington said the sculpture would be under the artist’s discretion, ideally to be placed in a new plaza area created from stones that could be purchased and inscribed.

Once Johns Creek Beautification has sufficient funds, Pennington said a call will be cast out, prioritizing Native American artists. She said the selection committee would likely be composed of board members from Johns Creek Beautification and the Cultural Arts Alliance as well as a Johns Creek city councilmember.

While the project is pending City Council approval, Pennington said $50,000 has been raised so far across the nonprofit’s Secret Garden tours, and the goal is to collect $100,000 over the next 18 months.

Another $50,000 may head their way, considering a recommendation made at a recent Johns Creek Arts, Culture and

More info

Johns Creek Beautification’s first annual learning luncheon “Seed Soil Sunshine” June 6 will feature two guest speakers on sustainable gardening practices and a Q&A on how to humanely deter deer while creating a safe environment for pets. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sugo on Medlock Bridge Road. Tickets are $70 and include a meal of salads, several main courses and dessert. Proceeds will help fund a new Native American sculpture for the Johns Creek Town Center area. To reserve a seat, visit: www.johnscreekbeautification.org/ fundraiser.html.

Entertainment Committee meeting on the use of hotel/motel tax collections in fiscal year 2025.

The June 6 fundraiser will be the nonprofit’s first annual learning luncheon, featuring two guest speakers — Ashley Frasca, who hosts a Saturday morning garden show on WSB Radio, and Mark Hoban, a golf course superintendent at Rivermont Golf Club who focuses on sustainable, organic methods in his work.

The luncheon aligns with the nonprofit’s other effort to recertify Johns Creek as a National Wildlife Habitat, promoting sustainable gardening practices. The city first earned certification with the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program in April 2012.

Johns Creek Beautification Vice President Liliana Brenner said the organization is also helping to certify individual properties such as homes, parks, schools and businesses by providing food, water, shelter and places to raise young. Residents are encouraged to certify their properties at certifiedwildlifehabitat. nwf.org.

“Our aim is to build a resilient ecosystem where people, wildlife and plants can thrive together for generations,” Brenner said.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Memorial Day – Remember & Honor Monday, May 27, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Visit the Post’s “Walk of Memories”

Bring Family & Friends – Learn About the Exhibits

Meet Some of Those Who Have Served

“A Tribute to The Ed Sullivan Show“ Friday, May 31, 8 p.m.; Doors Open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 per person

Visit www.legion201.org/events for Details

Summer Baseball Schedule at Post

Visit www.legion201.org/events

Open the “Baseball” Drop Down Link

Dances & Dance Instruction

For Details and Schedules Visit www.club201dance.com/calendar

www.legion201.org

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Woodward Academy launches new Maymester program

Brought to you by

-

Woodward Academy

Woodward Academy is launching a Maymester program in May 2024 for Middle and Upper School students. This program is an integral goal of Woodward’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, an Unparalleled Student Experience, which highlights the need to increase real-world application offerings in the curriculum to better prepare students for the future.

The Maymester program will take place during the last two weeks of May, after the conclusion of the spring semester, and will provide students exposure to ideas, cultures, community, and relationships through experiential learning and real-world applications. Maymester students will partake in a concrete, hands-on learning experience followed by focused and intentional reflection. Maymester will offer multiple settings in which students can participate and learn on campus, in the community, or via a domestic or international travel experience.

Our Maymester courses will be anchored to Woodward’s mission statement of creating a richer learner community and exceptional academic opportunities for our students in order to nurture lifelong learners. The faculty have designed intriguing cross-disciplinary courses born from their own passions. Course proposals include Zoology, Game Design, Sports Marketing, Public Speaking, The Civil Rights Movement in Georgia, Business in a Box, Writing a Novel, The Chemistry of Food, Ancient Civilizations and Cultures, Auto Maintenance, and more.

Assessment will be based on a deliverable that students create at the end of the course in the context of their learning. These deliverables could be presentations, journals, audio/video logs, peer reviewed feedback, or another method designed and approved by the teacher. With the exception of Class of 2024 seniors, all Woodward Middle and Upper School students are required to participate and will receive course credit for the Maymester program.

Woodward Appoints Academy Psychologist

Ms. Daena Shearer was selected to serve as Woodward’s newly appointed Academy Psychologist. This position was created in response to the Academy’s 20222025 Strategic Plan goal to proactively foster, develop, and support the social and emotional well-being of each member of the Woodward Academy community.

Ms. Shearer has spent the last nine years working as a school psychologist in public and private school systems in New York and Georgia, most recently at the Lovett School. She has extensive experience working with pre-K through 12th grade students experiencing socialemotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. Additionally, Ms. Shearer has provided in-home therapy for students with developmental delays, autism, and other genetic disorders, and has a wealth of experience conducting individual and group setting counseling.

Ms. Shearer is an expert in conducting psycho-educational evaluations and is proficient in using those assessments to tailor academic and behavioral interventions in both school and home settings. Her therapeutic techniques include play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, group therapy, and applied behavioral analysis. Ms. Shearer is excited for the opportunity to join a community that deeply values mental health, and to use her therapeutic background to further advance the Academy’s mental health and wellness initiative. She shares, “I admire Woodward’s emphasis on meeting each student where they are, and equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to achieve success, no matter their learning differences.”

Ms. Shearer holds a B.A. in Psychology from The City College of New York, as well as an Advanced Professional Diploma in School Psychology and a M.S. in Education, specializing in Therapeutic Interventions, from Fordham University Graduate School of Education in New York.

Valor Christian Academy celebrates the successes of its seniors through Life Prep | College Ready Model

Brought to you by - Valor Christian Academy

Valor Christian Academy, founded in August 2020, grew out of the desire to educate, strengthen and equip the whole child in a unique environment where learning fits the way God designed each child. At Valor, we’ve reimagined educational offerings, and

parents may choose from a variety of educational modes, from virtual, hybrid, full-time, or homeschool, we seek to meet the education needs of every child and family. Our high school model, is one that prepares students to be Life-Prep | College Ready, which includes four days of on campus learning and one day of at home independent study. We

are proud to announce that several students in the Class of 2024 will graduate with a diploma of distinction, which serves as an opportunity for students to receive credit for further study, research, and experience in Fine Arts, Communications, or STEM. No matter what mode fits an individual child, we aim to launch each student as a servant leader who

knows how to shape culture through a biblical world-view. Our team looks forward to prayerfully walking you through the admissions experience where your family can be a part of Education Reimagined.

Contact Valor Christian Academy at 770-751-1972 or visit us at www. valorlions.org.

Change lives, change the world

Brought

to you

by – Wesleyan School

Wesleyan School believes faith and intellect are great partners with each other. At Wesleyan, it’s not a matter of choosing faith or intellect, but rather using both to create the best possible education for your child. Our leadership and faculty work to provide students with an atmosphere that is challenging, reinforces the value of hard work, and emphasizes character and integrity above accomplishment. Wesleyan prepares students for each stage of life and provides them with the opportunity to see all the possibilities that lie before them. Wesleyan’s school motto is JOY-Jesus, Others, Yourself, and every aspect of school life is oriented to reinforce this philosophy of putting Jesus first and others ahead of ourselves.

A college preparatory environment, students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities along with athletics, arts, service and other extracurricular activities. Wesleyan’s 85-acre campus provides state-ofthe-art academic facilities along with on-campus practice space for athletics and arts.

Located just outside of I-285 in Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan enrolled 1,206 students in grades K-12 for the 2023-2024 school year. Wesleyan offers bus routes throughout the metro Atlanta area. Supervised care before school is included in the cost of tuition and after care is available (K-8) until 6 p.m. at an affordable rate.

The Wesleyan School

5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 770-448-7640 https://www.wesleyanschool.org/

School social worker connects students to resources

Forsyth County Schools posts fewer specialists than in neighboring DeKalb, Fulton counties

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Amy Gamez, one of 14 school social workers in the Forsyth County School District, plants her feet on the ground throughout a scheduled day of meetings, ready to be on the move.

Her role is holistic, community-based and requires the skill of anticipating needs as well as adapting to change, pivoting when a school calls her in the middle of the workday requiring that she be present for additional student support.

“That’s what I love about my job — I like to kind of be here and there and everywhere,” Gamez said.

Gamez handled 400 to 500 of the 5,100 student cases in Forsyth County public schools this year, though some of those were quick one-and-dones versus students who required continuous oversight. Last year, she said, social workers conducted a total of 800 home visits.

Over the course of her 18-year career with Forsyth County Schools, Gamez said the needs have increased, serving more families in a district that has seen nearly 13,000 more students enroll in the last decade. But, she said community resources have grown to meet those needs.

Around a decade ago, Gamez began organizing what is now Family Promise of Forsyth County — a nonprofit that serves families experiencing homelessness. At the time, she knew of five families living out of a hotel, and she began reaching out to churches to schedule a planning meeting.

“I was really frustrated because I saw that they were paying at the time [what] was probably $1,000 a month, which is nothing now, you know, and they were just in a hole,” Gamez said. “Most of these families were in the hotel for six months to a year, and I was very frustrated that they were just stuck in this cycle.”

Gamez is continuing to meet basic needs for students and their families, sometimes doing it through a phone app called Purposity which allows her to request items that individuals around Forsyth County can donate. She said Forsyth County was one of the pilot counties for Purposity, Gamez becoming one of the first slate of school social workers to use the tool.

She said there has also been a shift in focus over the years, from meeting basic needs to mental health challenges. Nowadays, mental health is a large component to her job, though social workers and counselors function differently.

“We really are a connector to families to get them plugged into the resources in our community,” said Gomez, who works with a number of nonprofits and organizations like the Division of Family and Children Services. The week before, she met with representatives of the Boys and Girls Club on how to connect students to its services.

The ratio of students per school social worker in the Forsyth County School District was more than double than in DeKalb and Fulton counties last

AMY

Amy Gamez, one of 14 Forsyth County Schools social workers, stands by a food donation provided by a local community partner. Gamez serves New Hope Elementary School, Otwell Middle School and Academies of Creative Education, which includes Forsyth Academy, Gateway Academy and Forsyth Virtual Academy.

year. But, the ratio of students per school counselor across all grade levels was mid-range.

There were 378 students per counselor across Forsyth County elementary, middle and high schools, whereas there were 478 students per counselor in Fulton County and 283 in DeKalb County.

In addition to its team of counselors, Forsyth County Schools has a mental health facilitator, nine student advocacy specialists, eight support staff for behavior support – each with different roles, and 17 emotional behavioral intervention classes.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in March formed a mental health advisory committee, set to have two school board members. But, Forsyth County Schools opted out.

Jennifer Caracciolo, chief communications officer for Forsyth County, told Appen Media that Forsyth County Schools is “assessing the effectiveness” of its system efforts with regard to its strategic plan.

“It’s not that we don’t want to partner,” Caracciolo said. “We obviously have made a significant investment in mental health, not only for that of our students, but our staff as well. And, we have a district plan, and we have employed a number of experts in various fields, and so we’re working on that plan.”

JACOB TOMBERLIN/PROVIDED

A comparison of the number of students per school social worker across Dekalb, Forsyth and Fulton county school districts shows that the ratio in the Forsyth County School District is more than double its neighbors in fiscal year 2023. There were 14 school social workers that served nearly 54,500 students in Forsyth County.

JACOB TOMBERLIN/PROVIDED

A comparison of the number of students per school counselor across Dekalb, Forsyth and Fulton county school districts shows that Forsyth County Schools is mid-range with 378 students per counselor across its elementary, middle and high schools.

GAMEZ/PROVIDED

North Springs High prepares for construction on new school

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — With the April 26 approval of a $14.1 million contract for site work at North Springs High School, dirt at 7447 Roswell Road will be moving soon.

The Fulton County School Board of Education approved the contract with Cumming-based Vertical Earth, with an additional $1.4 million contingency, for phase one site work at the new school.

North Springs is a Fulton County public high school in the heart of Sandy Springs.

It is the state's only dual magnet school, allowing students to participate in the Visual & Arts magnet, Mathematics & Science magnet, or both, depending on their qualifications and abilities. Built in 1963, the school is one of the oldest in the Fulton County system.

Fulton County Schools’ “Bricks and Clicks” 2027 Capital Plan, funded through the education special purpose local option sales tax, calls for replacing North Springs High.

Since Fulton County voters first approved ESPLOST in 1997, it has become

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED

A rendering shows the campus layout of the new North Springs High School, anticipated to open in August 2027.

the primary funding source for capital improvements, with $3.2 billion generated to date.

The replacement of the school and construction of a new campus will cost around $108 million, according to a February estimate from Noel Maloof, chief operations officer for the district.

Replacing the school requires significant coordination. Construction will take place on-campus while school is in session.

The $15.6 site work project calls for the demolition of the softball field, competition field, stadium, practice field, tennis courts

and surrounding parking lots, driveways and hardscape.

Site work also includes installing a new curb cut at Trowbridge Road and new access driveways as a part of the new layout of the school’s replacement.

Other phase one tasks include construction of new soil-nail and concrete retaining walls, relocation of existing utilities and installation of new utilities, storm drainage pipe systems and three detention ponds.

Anne Boatwright, media relations manager at Fulton County Schools, said all other site work and building construction will happen in a later phase.

She also said the estimated time for completion of the first phase is this December. Because of potential dangers, Boatwright said the campus will be subdivided to keep all construction activities separate from school activities.

“There will be safety fencing and other controls in place to make this possible to manage,” she said. “Safety is always the priority when a contractor is working on the campus while school is in session.”

Boatwright also said the school district coordinates on a regular basis with Princi-

pal Sott Hanson and his staff.

Because phase one involves the demolition of athletic facilities, high school sports will move to other schools, including Sandy Springs Middle.

Appen Media also asked Fulton County Schools representatives about the potential for noise disruptions during the 2024-25 school year and beyond.

Because site work is anticipated to conclude at the end of the year, construction of additional phases is expected to continue until the new school’s projected opening date in August 2027.

“Due to the location of the construction, being elevated and on the back side of the building that faces the gymnasium and other large activity spaces, the noise factor is expected to be minimal,” Boatwright said.

She listed student safety and preserving a disruption-free learning environment as the top priorities of Fulton County Schools.

“Communication has already begun about some adjustments and more will be conducted in the fall to ensure all students and teachers understand the safety and access parameters while the project is ongoing," she said.

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Sowing the seeds of organic learning

Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman doctor, invented a system of early childhood education based on her scientific observations of how the child constructs himself through interaction with his environment.

Her emphasis on the importance of the “prepared” environment created by the teacher offers the child the freedom to choose his work. This freedom - which is given when the child demonstrates the responsibility to use it wisely - allows him to remain with an activity until its purpose is accomplished. Working without artificial timelines allows him to engage in the spontaneous repetition of a skill so that it is refined; this freedom also creates in him the ability to concentrate for long periods of time and to feel the satisfaction of mastery.

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The magic of middle school

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With one foot rooted in childhood and the other stepping eagerly into adolescence, middle schoolers can pose a perplexing combination of needs and contradictions. High Meadows Middle Years teachers would tell you, however, that this distinct age and stage is also marked by heightened information processing abilities that allow students to delve more meaningfully into complex thinking, problem solving, self-reflection and growth.

What do middle schoolers need to grow and thrive?

Collaborative Learning: One key element of adolescence is a strong social drive. Instead of trying to con-

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Exploration and Self-Expression: High Meadows robust mini-course offerings provide Middle Years students the opportunity to choose from and try many different specialized courses including Animal Care, Yoga, Band, Debate, a variety of Fine Arts courses, Theatre, World Peace Games, Culinary Arts and more.

Fostering Independence & Self-Confidence: High Meadows middle years program empowers students to grow in independence, study and research skills, time management, and accountability. Students reflect regu-

larly on their own growth and set goals for themselves. Mentorship & Leadership: HMS Middle Years students enjoy the role of being campus-wide mentors, and leaders who serve as role models to the younger students in the community. Sixth through Eighth grade students serve as “buddies” to even our youngest Pre-K students on campus.

Intellectual and Academic Challenge: High Meadows graduates enter their high school years with a strong academic foundation, a passion for learning, and a keen understanding of what they need to be successful. The majority of HMS alum start their high school careers in AP and Honors courses.

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Does my child have a learning disability?

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If your child is struggling in school despite receiving extra help, you may be wondering if your child has a learning disability. Figuring out whether your child has a learning disability, and what to do about it, can become clear with formal testing by a professional with expertise in the field. Evaluation of suspected learning disabilities is essential to finding appropriate interventions so that children do not fall behind in school.

A learning disability (LD) is defined by poor achievement in particular academic areas compared to a child’s potential, which is based on the child’s general intellectual ability. Poor performance in school is itself not necessarily an indicator of a learning disability (LD); rather, poor performance in the context of appropriate effort, attention, and additional help may be indicative of a specific learning disorder. Learning disabilities may affect particular academic skills, such as reading or math, but often affect a variety of subject areas. Learning disabilities can also be exacerbated or compounded by attention problems. While prevalence estimates vary, a significant percentage of children with learning disabilities also have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

There are several benefits of a comprehensive evaluation for learning disabilities, also called a psycho-educational evaluation. First, the diagnosis of an LD can establish a child’s eligibility for educational services in schools. Second, the reasons underlying poor academic performance in a specific subject area can be determined; and, finally and most importantly, specific learning problems can be

subsequently targeted for intervention or remediation.

Sometimes poor performance in school is a result of social or emotional factors that are not associated with a learning disability. It is important to identify and address, for example, whether a child is struggling with anxiety or depression that may be affecting his or her school performance. Comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations help parents and teachers to determine whether social and emotional problems may be interfering with the learning process.

Early identification of learning disabilities leads to targeted interventions that can help children progress in school. Early intervention is best, so it is critical to have your child tested as soon as a learning disability is suspected. Regardless of the reasons behind poor school performance, assessment is the first step in getting your child back on track to academic success.

Rebecca L. Marshall, Ph.D. (rmarshall@summitcounseling.org) is a Licensed Psychologist and Staff Therapist at the Summit Counseling Center in Johns Creek, Georgia.

Local high school seniors provide advice to students

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Continuing the tradition of recognizing departing students, Fulton County Schools has released the first six videos for its “Senior Spotlight: Class of 2024.”

Fulton County Schools profiles 19 outstanding seniors — one from each high school — who embody the spirit of the class of 2024.

Each week in May, the school district will release additional profiles.

The group of seniors include high academic achievers, all-star athletes and award-winners, students with unusual or unique stories to share, and those who have beaten the odds to graduate.

The class of 2024 began their high school journey at the height of COVID-19 lockdowns, but persevered.

Leila Alvarez, a senior at Alpharetta High School, said getting involved in everything she could was her solution to such an enormous challenge.

When she is not at soccer practice or studying for International Baccalaureate classes, Alvarez serves as the student body vice president and participates in other school activities.

In her role as president of the Unified Raiders, Alvarez builds bonds between different students at the school.

Leila calls her work with the Unified Raiders her proudest accomplishment. She said she finds purpose, “knowing that I’m giving back to a community that feels really isolated.”

Her advice to students entering high school is to get involved with clubs and activities at school.

Next year, Alvarez will attend Williams College in Massachusetts.

When Lucy Sillitto, a Centennial High School senior, is faced with challenges, she turns them into opportunities with others.

Social studies teacher Cameron Yarbrough said Sillitto embodies what it means to be a Centennial Knight.

“She’s strong in the classroom, she cares for others and wants to see them succeed and is just really an all-round stellar student,” Yarbrough said.

Sillitto founded a local chapter of the national mental health organiza -

tion, Active Minds. The work of the 50-member club was featured on 11Alive News during Suicide Prevention Week.

After graduation Sillitto plans to attend Georgia Tech and major in neuroscience.

She said she chose the major because of her love for science and push to de-stigmatize mental health.

Sillitto advises incoming high school students to “find a balance in your life and find something that you can use as your outlet.”

Laylah Frazier, a senior at North Springs High School, said her mom helped her balance volleyball, cheerleading and Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

North Springs High School Principal Scott Hanson said Frazier’s involvement makes her stand out.

“She is involved in school, she's a multi-sport athlete, and she's somebody that is in the JROTC leadership program,” Hanson said. “She just makes her mark all over the place.”

After graduation she plans to attend college and is considering a career in aviation or aeronautics with a double major in public relations.

Frazier advises incoming high school students to “make friends, talk to people, talk to your teachers and talk to your administrators. If you are a familiar face around school, so many doors open for you.”

Christian Jimenez, senior valedictorian at Roswell High School, said his mother is one of his biggest inspirations for running and as a person.

Jimenez, a member of the cross country team, placed second in the Boys 6A 5,000-meter run this year.

Honors and AP Chemistry teacher Christi Chilton said Jimenez is an intellectual star.

“He is constantly asking thoughtprovoking questions to deepen his understanding,” she said. “He is truly invested in the success and emotional well-being of his peers and celebrates everyone’s achievements.”

Jimenez is headed to the University of California, San Diego in the fall.

Haja Kabba from Banneker High School near College Park and Lauren Jones from Creekside High School in Fairburn also received senior spotlights in the first week of May.

Great minds think differently

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Best graduation gift for college bound children or young adults

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they pass away, become incapacitated or incompetent. By helping young adults create their estate planning when college bound, this grants the Parents full control over their children’s assets, bank accounts, vehicle, medical information, and academic information in the event of death, incompetency or disability. Otherwise, parents cannot make any financial or healthcare decisions on behalf of their own children and cannot obtain their own children’s educational and medical records.

A robust starting point for an estate plan for a young adult is a simple Will, a Healthcare Directive (HCD), a Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA) and a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) release. FERPA release gives Parents the right to their children’s educational records from colleges. In May young adults are graduating and eventually going off to college. Many parents each year

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OPINION

Readers recall S&H Green and other loyalty stamps

When I asked the question, “Do you remember S&H Green Stamps?” it brought back memories for several readers. The loyalty stamp programs of the past occasionally helped families out, just when they needed it most.

They also provided a fun moment for children, who could trade completed stamp books for a toy.

Gary Field, who grew up on a dairy farm north of Cincinnati, shared memories of his family collecting Top Value Stamps. The local Kroger had Top Value Stamps, but his family also collected S&H Green Stamps. “I remember licking all those stamps and putting them on the book pages.” He also remembers “…the excited anticipation of what we were going to select at the redemption store.”

Years later, Field remembers an S&H redemption warehouse in the southwest area of the intersection of I-85 and Jimmy Carter Boulevard. That spot was later home to Western Electric.

S&H Green Stamps and Top Value Stamps were an important part of Susan Edmonson’s young married life, especially when the first child of the family was born in 1968. “I acquired many of the major items when my children were born, crib, etc., with filled books of stamps.”

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA

Above: An S & H Green Stamp savings book and Hastings Savings Stamp book for stamps issued by Hastings Nursery of Atlanta. At right: This tin Trading Stamps Saver and Books container was a handy place to keep the collection.

Growing up, Sandy Feit’s Providence, Rhode Island, family was an S&H Green Stamp family, but they also collected Top Value Stamps “for those infrequent trips to our less preferred store.”

“After getting married, I moved to Vermont and was glad to find S&H stamps in Burlington,” recalls Feit. One February, the temperature dipped down to -27 degrees F. “Just about no one’s car started that morning, and like most of our neighbors,

we needed a service call. Hours later, when it warmed to -11 degrees F, I drove to the redemption center and traded in my stamp books for a little piece of mind – my very first set of jumper cables.”

In the early 1960s, Charlie Evans was in high school in Huntington, West Virginia, and his dad managed a company called Family Stamps. “The company catered to individuals and businesses in hard-to-reach areas.” Customers would fill their books with stamps and return to the

store where they originally received them to decide on a loyalty gift by looking through a catalog. Employees of Family Stamps drove to a warehouse to redeem the stamps. They also sold stamps to the stores.

Evans’ dad managed a region that included West Virginia, Kentucky and parts of western Virginia. He often traveled Monday through Thursday, training and managing his employees. Many people in the area worked in the coal business.

Charlie Evans also worked at the Family Stamps warehouse, where the premiums were stored. His dad traveled Monday through Thursday most weeks, training and managing his employees.

Jan Kepic and Sandy Bond shared a piece of S&H Green Stamps history with me. They had a vintage tin box for storing stamps and collection books. This is a step up from the usual method of storage in a random kitchen drawer.

Kepic and Bond grew up in the small town of Fremont, Ohio, where their job was to adhere the stamps to the books. They also shared their collection of Hastings stamps, which go back to the days of Hastings Nursery at Cheshire Bridge and Lindbergh Drive in Atlanta.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Choosing your next read from a list of possibilities

How do you choose which books to read at what time? For me, the choice is often dictated by what arrives at the library, where I regularly put books on hold. Sometimes, they come in within a few days. Other times, it can be months. Sometimes, I come home with five or six books. Other times with only one. When I don’t have a stack of library books to choose from, I turn to my Kindle and catch up on books I’ve downloaded and not gotten around to. Heaven forbid I run out of books.

This week’s selections were chosen from the TBR stack on my desk because my ship came in at the library. I knew I wasn’t in the mood for the Jane Harper book set in the Australian outback. Her books are extremely well-written but very serious. So, I turned

first to a gothic romance, something I’ve rarely read as an adult. Who knows why?

“A Dreadful Splendor” by B. R. Myers

I'm not sure what made me place this book on hold. Perhaps it was reading that it won a Mary Higgins Clark award. Or maybe it was the blurb from "The Globe and Mail" describing it as a “... gem of a book [that] sparkles with wit and originality . . . There is no shortage of tricks and feints in this excellent novel and Genevieve is a delightful character.”

Whatever attracted me to it, the author Victoria Holt came to mind as I became immersed in the story. I read her gothic romances as a teenager, and I have vivid memories of purchasing her books at school book fairs, along with those of Phyllis Whitney and Mary Higgins Clark.

The setting is a grand estate in Victorian England, complete with a murder victim, a damsel in distress, and possibly even a ghost. It wasn't jolly, but it was a jolly good

read. The twists kept me guessing until the end. If gothic romances appeal to you, I recommend you grab this one.

“The Lost Man” by Jane Harper

I'm a Jane Harper fan and picked this book up thinking it was part of her Aaron Falk series. Instead, I discovered it's a standalone, and what a tour de force it is. The pacing seemed slow at first, and the uncluttered sentences seemed to mirror the isolation of the life and the land in this bleak Australian setting. This is the remote outback, sparsely populated with cattle ranches and men of few words.

When the middle brother of a ranching family is found dead in the brutal heat and sun, nowhere near his car, the question is not only how but why? Everyone knows not to set out without water and supplies in the desert. Why did he leave his car without water and walk an unbelievable distance? There's nothing wrong with the car, and no evidence he was forced to leave it. What

happened?

The suspense builds as family secrets come to light. Was the victim troubled? Did he commit suicide? Because walking in the desert is a sure way to do it. Did someone want him dead?

It's not the police who piece together the clues. It's the family history and dark events of the present and the past that finally reveal the truth of what happened. Let's just say, "I never saw it coming."

This week, I’ve turned to a cozy mystery set in 1920s England and book 10 in The Chronicles of St. Mary’s series. From there, who knows?

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/Kathy ManosPennAuthor/.

THE INK PENN

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

You can’t always get what you want

On July 4, 1969, The Rolling Stones Introduced their song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. The song goes on to say, “But if you try sometime, well, you just might find, you get what you need.”

This can be said about many borrowers trying to negotiate closing cost fees with their lender. Closing cost fees are made up of numerous charges such as lender fees, credit reports, appraisals, attorney fees, lenders title, owners title, recording fees, Georgia intangible taxes, HOA initiation fees as well as HOA prorations and others.

I had a call the other day from a client who wanted me to lower the attorney fees and totally take out the lender’s title insurance fee (required by all lenders if

the buyer/borrower is getting a mortgage, and this fee is charged by the closing attorney).

Granted, most folks believe that the lender controls all these fees which is simply not the case. I explained to the borrower that the credit report as well as the attorney fees, title charges the state transfer/tax fees, are third-party charges that are simply “pass through” charges that we estimate for them on the initial loan estimate, and the actual charges will appear on their final closing statement.

Ironically, the borrower/buyer chooses most of these fees when they agree to a specific closing attorney in their contract, because the attorney determines those fees. The lender only can control their bank/broker charges such as origination fees, discount points, underwriting, document preparation and other fees shown in the origination section of the loan estimate.

My point is, when buyers/borrowers are shopping fees from lender to lender

they should focus on the “origination” charges shown on the loan estimate only…the other fees will be the same at closing, as the lender does not actually charge them. Despite the varying estimates from lender to lender for title, attorney and recording charges shown by different lenders, they will be the same at closing since the closing attorney chosen in the contract will produce those numbers.

So, who do you trust for the most accurate estimate?

Great question! Most buyers/ borrowers are recommended to a lender(s) from their Realtor and or a friend(s). Trust them, especially a Realtor who has done business with this lender and has seen a track record of delivering what they estimated and excellent customer service.

Getting estimates from out-of-state lenders can be dangerous if they do not close many loans in Georgia and are simply going by what some chart in their office tells them to estimate for those

charges. Your Georgia lenders do this every day and know what the estimate should show, not to mention they do not want to let down the real estate agent who referred you to them. These lenders also depend on repeat business from the agents, and they won’t get it if they don’t deliver excellent customer service, including getting the funds to close right.

Trust your referral. Purchasing a home, in most cases, is the largest individual purchase they will make in their life. This is not like purchasing a car or an ATV. However, getting a recommendation from a friend might not be so bad when buying these either.

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.

What does Moonlight Graham have to do with anything?

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

For those of you who don’t know, Moonlight Graham was, according to Wikipedia, “an American professional baseball player and medical doctor who appeared as a right fielder in a single major league game for the New York Giants on June 29, 1905. Moonlight Graham was also one of the main characters in the movie “Field of Dreams” which starred Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster – who played Moonlight Graham. Many believe that Burt hit it out of the ballpark – no pun intended – in this role. I know I do. In “Field of Dreams,” Moonlight Graham is given the opportunity to go back in time and play professional baseball again – his dream – on Keven Costner’s

(movie name - Ray Consella) baseball diamond in the middle of a cornfield - today - in Iowa. In one scene, Ray’s young daughter falls off the bleachers and is choking to death. Moonlight Graham –the baseball player – moves across the ball field toward her. As he leaves the field, he stops. At that point, he must choose between crossing back into the present – as the old physician – to save the girl, or remain on the field as the young baseball player and live out his dream. If he steps off the field, he forever gives up the dream. If he doesn’t, Ray’s daughter dies. He walks off the field and saves Ray’s daughter.

As he returns to the diamond toward the cornfield – now, forever the physician – through all the ghosts of legendary ball players who have “come back to play again,” one of the legends shouts out to him, a shout of respect, admiration and validation: “Hey rookie, you were good.”

Burt – Moonlight – stops in his tracks. Time freezes. He turns and gazes back at the team, deep in thought and appreciation of the moment. Then he walks into the corn field and reality again.

I thought that it was the best line –and best scene – in the movie; it moved me to tears. It still does.

Moonlight Graham is relevant today on a number of levels. First, to me, is simply the magic of the movie. To have loved this movie, one had to buy into the story of going back into time and living out a dream – “ a willing suspension of disbelief “(Fitzgerald’s definition of what “fiction” must enable). If you weren’t able to do that, the movie didn‘t work.

Life today, often feels like it is powered by disbelief – by skepticism – about anything and everything. It’s so unhealthy and debilitating. We need to be able to believe – even in ghosts playing baseball.

Choices.

“Field of Dreams” told a story about choices. It reminds us that even today when there is so much distraction and white noise, when we see so many things that go the wrong way, that we can still swim against that current and be good, do good, and find good. It is a simple and really obvious message, but it is one that we need to hear, and keep hearing. Young people today, I think, have less opportunity than we did to know this. They need to know this.

Choices we make now and, in the future – choices about helping people, or just ourselves – will define who we are; how we have lived; and what we have collectively accomplished.

Hopefully, some day as we are approaching that cornfield that we will all face sooner or later, we too will hear a voice like Moonlight Graham heard – “Hey rookie, you were good.”

D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist

Science of fishing and solar eclipses

STEVE HUDSON

Back in like the seventh grade (just a few years ago) the tiny little elementary school I attended ¬made a big deal of things when graduation day rolled around.

The whole last week of seventh grade, in fact, turned into one big celebration of intellectual enlightenment, complete with pomp and ceremony and all the other trappings of a bunch of adolescents who, in that enlightened and less serious time, would really have rather been out playing in the creek and chasing frogs.

But even if it was just a distraction for we of the younger set, it was a big deal for our moms and dads.

Yeah. And mine were ecstatic when I was named to receive the “Outstanding Science Student” award.

Science, huh? Well, I’ve always kind of liked it. I play with ham radio and electronics, and once in chemistry class I decided to do an experiment and see what happens if you drop a piece of potassium metal into a beaker of water. Spoiler alert: What happens is not good and will pretty much guarantee you a private discussion with the teacher.

For a while I thought I’d like to be a famous scientist. I took a bunch of scienc-y classes and did pretty good, I suppose, but eventually the siren song of the writing world grew so loud that I took that fork in the road instead.

But the interest in science lingered, at least at some level, and that brings me to the recent eclipse.

I’m sure you heard about the eclipse. Several of the folks I know really got into it, one going so far as to make tracks to the Midwest, his entire family enthusiastically in tow, to enjoy some of the very best seeing. “Seeing” – that’s science talk for wearing funny glasses and looking at strange things going on in the sky. The seeing was pretty good, too, and my buddy gushed eloquently for days about the unabashed coolness of seeing a little arc of solar flare stuff in the middle of the day from the middle of a field out in the middle of the Midwest somewhere. He said it was cool beyond words, and I believe him.

Had I been able to get away, I’d

probably have been right there with ‘em, goofy glasses and all.

But as it turned out, I had to stay here. And yet the call of science was strong.

“What shall we do?” I asked at breakfast a day or two before the sun went away.

“How about some fishing?” she replied.

Fishing. Of course.

It just so happened that white bass were at that very moment making their annual spawning run up Little River in Cherokee County. The fish, I’m guessing, didn’t care two hoots about what was going on with the sun, having other things on their little fishy minds.

But I cared. I did. In fact, I decided on the spot that I would put my highly tuned scientific abilities to work and investigate the effect of a solar eclipse on the behavior of white bass! I would do it for you, my faithful readers, for I was certain that you too were staying awake at night wondering what temporary darkness in the middle of the day would do to the behavior of white bass. Right?

Who could say? Maybe I would prove so brilliantly adept at it all that I would have to give up on this writing thing and become a Man of Science!

So on the appointed day, we went fishing. We got to the river (at Olde Rope Mill Park) a few minutes before show time, put on waders and rigged up the fly rods, and were in the water casting as the moon did its thing and the sun faded to a fingernail and then came back again in all its gleamy glory. We fished right through it all.

What did we learn?

Well, we learned that it is possible to not catch a single fish (nary even a bite) in a river that you know holds fish galore. That’s right. We did not get a bite. Not one.

Us outdoor writer types are not used to not even getting a bite. I was perplexed, and so like any good scientific type I set about searching for explanations.

“Perhaps,” I said, “I was using the wrong fly.”

“Maybe,” she said. “Or maybe you just didn’t catch ‘em.”

“Perhaps,” I said again, “but maybe the fish all swam off to someplace else.”

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Columnist

What’s the buzz about periodical cicadas?

Have you heard about the impending cicada-pocalypse? In May, periodical cicadas, which emerge once every 13 years, will be crawling out of the ground across the Southeast.

So what?

Perhaps you’re thinking, “I see cicadas every year. What’s the big deal?” Those cicadas you see every summer and fall are annual, or dog-day, cicadas, which emerge every year.

Periodical cicadas are more special. They are unique to eastern North America and found nowhere else in the world. They only emerge from the ground every 13 or 17 years, depending on their brood. Broods are separate populations of cicadas that emerge on the same cycle.

Brood XIX (“nineteen”), also called the “Great Southern Brood,” are 13-year cicadas set to emerge across the Southeast this year. Small areas throughout central Illinois will see a dual emergence of Brood XIX and Brood XIII (“thirteen”). The last time these two broods’ emergence matched up was in 1803, when Thomas Jefferson was president! In Georgia, we will see a solo emergence from Brood XIX, but it’s still pretty cool. Just because periodical cicadas only appear aboveground every 13 or 17 years doesn’t mean they don’t exist in the interim. In fact, they’re alive that whole time, tunneling underground in their nymph (juvenile) stage and feeding on roots of hardwood trees.

Cicada life cycle

On May nights, the cicada nymphs use their claw-like front legs to tunnel up to the soil surface. The nymphs immediately find the closest tree or shrub (or another vertical surface) and start climbing up, up, up. Most stop within the first 10 feet, latch onto the bark and begin to molt. First, they split their exoskeleton down the back, then lean backwards and squeeze their new, adult body through the fissure. They hang belly up for a while and use gravity to help their wings unfurl. Over several hours, they pump hemolymph (insect “blood”) into their expanding wings until they are full size. Meanwhile, the exoskeleton cures, hardens and develops its bright colors.

Millions of individual cicadas will emerge like this over several weeks, and scientists still don’t know how they accomplish this amazing synchronicity. After the wings harden, the cicada

can fly up into the tree canopy and begin its ultimate objective: mating! The buzzing you hear is a mating call males make to lure in females. These deafening calls can reach up to 90 decibels, or as loud as a lawnmower. Once a pair deem each other suitable, they mate.

The female uses a serrated structure called an ovipositor to saw small slits along the tips of branches, where she lays her eggs. The adults die soon after and will all be gone by June. The eggs remain inside the protected crevices for six to ten weeks until the new nymphs hatch. They drop down to the ground and tunnel into the soil to begin their years-long development. Thus, the cycle continues.

Because of this huge chunk of time they spend underground as nymphs, periodical cicadas actually have the longest development time of any insect species in North America. Talk about late bloomers!

Are cicadas good?

Cicadas are great for our ecosystems. Their tunneling aerates our native soils, and the decaying bodies of the deceased adults act as a natural fertilizer.

Not to mention the food source they provide. All these insects emerging at once is a bumper crop for predators. Nymphs and adults are tasty morsels for birds, fish, deer and other wildlife. Even dogs will eat them and may vomit if they binge too many (“too much roughage at one time,” says University of Georgia entomologist Nancy Hinkle). Still, there are more cicadas than our predators can consume, so some survive to sustain the population.

It’s worth noting that cicadas are not a threat to us or our pets. They are not poisonous, don’t bite, don’t transmit diseases and won’t feed on crops. Egg laying by the females may cause aesthetic damage to branch

U.S. FOREST SERVICE

tips, but this is not likely to harm your trees.

Where to find them

Finding periodical cicadas can be a guessing game. In the Atlanta area, the U.S. Forest Service says we may see Brood XIX in Fulton and Cherokee Counties. Surveys done by UGA entomologists during the 2011 emergence reported them in Fayette and Coweta counties.

Regardless, you will only find them in hardwood forests that have not been disturbed in at least 13 years. Look for mature forests with minimal soil disturbance that are relatively close to a stream or creek. The app iNaturalist is a great way to check if others in your area have reported seeing any.

If you do see a cicada, how do you know if it’s the periodical type? Periodical cicadas are mostly black with red eyes and orange-tinted wings, while annual cicadas are green with black eyes. Dr. Hinkle makes it even simpler: “Any cicada you see before June is a periodical cicada; any cicada you see after June is an annual cicada.”

If you happen to see one, note the date and location, and take a photo! Report your observations on iNaturalist, and send your photos to your local Extension agent for good measure. If

you live in Fulton County, I am anxiously awaiting your email.

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Gabrielle LaTora, agriculture agent for UGA Extension in Fulton County. An entomologist by training, Gabrielle is interested in insects on farms and in gardens and is passionate about closing the gap between people and their food. In addition to helping coordinate Fulton County’s Master Gardener Extension Volunteer program, Gabrielle oversees the North Fulton Community Garden, answers clients’ questions about gardening and natural resources, works with urban farmers, and delivers educational programs for Fulton County residents.

GABRIELLE LATORA Guest Columnist

WARD UPHAM, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY/BUGWOOD.ORG Periodical cicada

More than a dozen stakeholders listen to the Johns Creek City Council work session discussion May 6 on the decision to hire a consultant to draft a concept for an arts facility.

Facility:

Continued from Page 1

The project has been studied over the past several years.

The first of two mayoral task forces was formed in 2017 as a response to a grassroots movement led by the Cultural Arts Alliance at Johns Creek’s Legacy Center Task Force under J. Wayne Baughman, the late founder and maestro of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, and the “Breaking New Ground” campaign.

The space had been envisioned to include a permanent home for the orchestra as well as a new location for the Johns Creek Arts Center.

Eight key players penned a letter to the City Council March 21 in a request to involve the community in the planning process, including representatives of the Cultural Arts Alliance, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, the Johns Creek Arts Center, the Johns Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Johns Creek Chorale and the Georgia Student Finance Commission, by way of its president Lynne Riley.

Joan Compton, co-president of the Cultural Arts Alliance, told Appen Media that the group organized shortly after Baughman’s death in November 2023 to take action so the project would not die with him.

At the work session, Bradberry said he expects the next meeting will include a discussion on pulling together a committee composed of stakeholders and the broader community who would give feedback to city staff and the consultant.

In other matters, the council gave tentative approval to a $2.1 million construction contract for multi-use trails

along Rogers Bridge Road from Bell Road to Amberleigh Way and along Bell Road from Cauley Creek Park to Rogers Bridge Road. The contract will not become official until it is approved at a formal City Council meeting.

The project, which includes an additional $300,000 for contingency and an inspection task order, will be fully funded by transportation special local option sales tax and local maintenance and improvement grant funds.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for mid-June, and completion is expected for summer 2025.

More single-family homes

At the regular meeting that night, the City Council granted a concurrent zoning variance to allow for a 31-lot subdivision composed of single-family detached homes.

The subdivision will be constructed on a 37.4-acre tract along Abbotts Bridge Road, referred to as the Reynolds Farm. The property was updated from an agriculturally zoned district to community unit plan, or CUP, and includes a reduction of the landscape strip along Abbotts Bridge Road from 40 feet to 20 feet.

Councilmembers Stacy Skinner and Larry DiBiase cast the two dissenting votes after several neighboring residents voiced their concerns over the project, including the loss of a pastoral view.

“I can’t in good conscience support it because of the negative impact it will have on the homeowners that are here,” Skinner said.

Councilman Bob Erramilli acknowledged that young people are leaving Johns Creek and expressed his hope to the developer that the homes would be affordable for them.

But, the project’s civil engineer Kenneth Wood previously estimated the homes to cost anywhere from the $900,000s to several million dollars for a custom build — reinforcing the dominance of single-family detached homes in Johns Creek, 77 percent of which are owner-occupied, according to the 2018 Johns Creek Comprehensive Plan.

DEATH NOTICES

Aubrey Jones, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away on May 6, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Carol Mack, 91, of Roswell, passed away on May 5, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Parsons, 90, of Roswell, passed away on May 2, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Kenneth Walsh, 80, of Roswell, passed away on May 5, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

ARC:

Continued from Page 3

Eichenthal said the direct pay program allows for the “blending and grading of different resources,” which allows tax credits to be combined with some loans.

Since some cities and counties started qualifying projects last year, a few have started filing for the tax credits.

“At some point this year, I’m not going to be talking to groups like this about hypothetically what people are doing,” he said. “I’ll be able to say, the city of ‘X’ made this investment, and they got a check from the federal government covering 30-50 percent of the cost.”

Unfortunately, the credit payment comes after the project goes into service.

“There’s an upfront financing issue that folks need to consider,” Eichenthal said.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Members of the Atlanta Regional Commission Board gather at the metropolitan planning organization May 8 to hear a special presentation from the U.S. Treasury Department.

A payment from the Internal Revenue Service can be expected within 45 days after a project goes into service, he said.

“Finance directors can now model out what that will look like,” Eichenthal added.

INVITATION TO BID CITY OF JOHNS CREEK

ITB #24-158

JONES BRIDGE ROAD AT SARGENT ROAD AND DOUGLAS ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

The City of Johns Creek extends an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to qualified construction firms for the operational improvements project at the intersection of Jones Bridge Road with Sargent Road and Douglas Road in the City of Johns Creek. ITB’s will be received electronically via the City’s bid platform, BidNet no later than 2:00PM on June 6, 2024 . Questions are accepted and answered online only via BidNet. Deadline for questions is May 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Quotes, bids, and RFP’s are electronically managed through the Georgia Purchasing Group by BidNet , our online bidding/vendor registration system, on the City website: https://www.johnscreekga.gov/Residents/Purchasing . To access the ITB document you must register with BidNet. Go to the City website above and click the link “register and view quote/bid/RFP opportunities”.

The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d—42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award .

All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the ITB information and instructions.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Neil Trust at the City of Johns Creek Procurement Division at purchasing@johnscreekga.gov or (678) 512-3233. The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to wave technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek.

He gave some examples of projects, like fleet electrification and central geothermal heating, that require a hefty initial capital investment but project a reduction in a local government’s operating cost.

Public school districts could receive federal aid installing solar panels on the roofs of buildings.

The idea is tax credits will help build projects more quickly and affordably, mitigating climate risks, creating jobs and lowering energy costs.

Members of the presidential Cabinet have said the program is a gamechanging opportunity to expand clean energy across the county.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, serving as the North Fulton County mayoral representative on the ARC Board, said city staff will review the information and determine whether it can meet the needs of the city.

The city is installing electric vehicle charging stations at its new Police Department and Municipal Court on Morgan Falls Road and its new Fleet Center on Roswell Road.

“There are some vehicles in our fleet where the direct pay program may offer us some opportunities,” he said. “We need to dig into it a bit deeper than the cursory overview we got today.”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF JOHNS CREEK

RFP #24-171

Creekside Park Construction

The City of Johns Creek extends a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified construction firms for the construction of Creekside Park behind Johns Creek City Hall located at 11360 Lakefield Dr. The project includes the construction of an amphitheater, constructed wetlands, and a 15-foot-wide boardwalk on this 17-acre site. Proposals will be received electronically via the City’s bid platform, BidNet no later than 2:00PM on June 19, 2024 . Questions are accepted and answered online only via BidNet. A Pre-bid meeting and Site Visit will take place in person on May 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Deadline for questions is May 29, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Quotes, bids, and RFP’s are electronically managed through the Georgia Purchasing Group by BidNet , our online bidding/vendor registration system, on the City website: https://www.johnscreekga.gov/Residents/Purchasing . To access the ITB document you must register with BidNet. Go to the City website above and click the link “register and view quote/bid/RFP opportunities”.

The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d—42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award .

All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the ITB information and instructions.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Neil Trust at the City of Johns Creek Procurement Division at purchasing@johnscreekga.gov or (678) 512-3233. The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to wave technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek.

Continued from Page 14

She also said the district is trying to focus on getting students graduated.

Despite Forsyth County being the richest county in Georgia by per capita income, and its school district maintaining high academic rankings across the state overall, lack of adequate housing for students is growing.

Education: Support Local News appenmedia.com/join

While investments have been made toward mental health resources, investments in school social workers are lacking. Caracciolo argued that this is because the district plans according to the needs of its specific student population, opting for other methods.

Caracciolo highlighted the school district’s local investment dollars, spending more than $11 million on school counselors than what is received from the state. She also said neighboring school districts receive significantly more federal funding, in part because of their free/reduced lunch numbers.

The Forsyth County School District has about half the student population than Fulton and DeKalb counties, and it also works with a much smaller budget. Yet, Forsyth County Schools collects 80 percent of what its neighbors collect in terms of total revenue per student and has 25 percent of the school social worker staffing.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE

PURPOSE

An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on April 16, 2024 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage & Wine Retail Package for Beer & Wine Craft Beer & Wine

BUSINESS NAME

AKP Butcher OG LLC

Dba

New York Butcher Shoppe & Wine Bar 11305 Bell Rd Suite 101

Johns Creek, GA 30024

OWNER/OFFICERS

AKP Butcher OG LLC

Dba

New York Butcher Shoppe & Wine Bar 11305 Bell Rd Suite 101

Johns Creek, GA 30024

Owners, Tony & Kelly Persichetti

McKinney Vento, a federal, state and local program created during the Reagan administration to address attendance issues related to homelessness, identifies homelessness as the lack of fixed, adequate or regular nighttime housing.

In March, Appen Media reported there were 1,044 students in the district’s McKinney Vento program, up from the 1,020 students recorded at the end of the 2022-23 school year. There were 610 students in the program in 2019-20.

“Fulton or DeKalb may have a larger number of students that are facing homelessness, and also facing social and economic challenges,” said Caracciolo, who confirmed the district is adding another school social worker next year to serve a growing student population of currently more than 55,300 students.

NOTICE OF SALE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY

Pursuant to Georgia Code 10-4-211, Neighbor Storage will hold a Public Sale of Property to satisfy Landlord's lien on May 22, 2024 online through Storagetreasures.com. Tenant is Jennifer Ervine. Last known address for renter is 3077 Parrish Rd. Apt. D, Augusta, Georgia 30907. The storage space is located at 101 Tor Dr, Warner Robins, Georgia, 31093. Property will be sold to the highest bidder (credit card payment). Property must be removed within 72 hours and space broom swept. Seller reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw property from a sale. Said properties are: 10-15 boxes of clothing/shoes chairs entryway table toys doll house electronics dishes 2-5 boxes/containers paperwork 2-5 boxes/containers.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

11360 LAKEFIELD DRIVE, JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA 30097

The following Land Use Petition is scheduled for public hearings:

LAND USE PETITION: RZ-24-0003 and VC-24-0002

PETITIONER: Ingenium Enterprises

LOCATION: 11085 State Bridge Road

CURRENT ZONING: C-1 (Community Business District) Conditional PROPOSED ZONING: R-4A (Single-Family Dwelling District) PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:

Single-family detached residential subdivision with three lots at a density of 1.04 units per acre with one concurrent variance to eliminate the 10% common open space requirement.

City of Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals, Public Hearing: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

City of Johns Creek Council Chambers 11360 Lakefield Drive Johns Creek, Georgia 30097

The following variance proposals are scheduled for Public Hearing as stated above:

Case Number: V-24-0003

Property Address: 1026 Quaker Ridge Way, Johns Creek, GA 30097

Current Zoning: CUP (Community Unit Plan District) Conditional Petitioner: Jordana and Gary Solyian

Variance Request: To allow for encroachment into the 75-foot stream buffer to construct an outdoor patio and a retaining wall.

Case Number: V-24-0004

Property Address: 9825 Autry Falls Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30022

Current Zoning: R-4A (Single-Family Dwelling District) Conditional Petitioner: Chris Sears, Sears Smith & Associates, Inc.

Variance Request: To allow for encroachment into the 75-foot stream buffer for bank stabilization, restoration of HOA maintained common area, and construction of a 6-foot wide pedestrian walkway.

Full-time

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Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 4pm

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Hudson:

Continued from Page 25

“Maybe,” she said. “Or maybe this just wasn’t your day.”

“Oh, no!” I said. “That can’t be! For an outdoor writer of my stature always catches fish. But since I did not catch any fish, they were clearly not there. Or maybe the eclipse confused and distracted them. That must be it!”

I considered this for a moment (scientific types are always considering things for a moment, you know) and then I made a pronouncement.

“That’s it!” I proclaimed. “There were no fish, and the ones that were there were confused.” That’s what I said, internal consistency be damned.

“So we can tell everyone that we have reached a conclusion!” I pro -

nounced. “A scientific conclusion. Based on science!”

“And…?” she asked.

“It’s thusly,” I said, really getting into this sound-like-a-scientist thing. “The eclipse may or may not have impacted white bass behavior in Little River, but the real story is that there were no fish there to be caught. That’s why I didn’t catch any. There were simply no fish in the river, for if there had been I would have caught ‘em, eclipse or not. And that’s science!”

At that moment – at that very moment – the faint sound of wings reached our ears. It was coming from the sky (sounds of wings often do that) and so we looked up to see from whence it came.

What we saw was an osprey. The osprey was flying low over the river, perhaps because it was carrying an enormous white bass in its talons.

The osprey flew upstream a ways, turned 180 degrees, and then flew back downriver and passed right over our heads, still showing off that giant fish.

Then it turned back upstream and did the same thing again. And I’ll swear that the bird paused an instant as it passed over us, turning so the fish it carried glinted in the sun, maybe gloating a little bit and surely saying in Bird Speak, “Ha! Silly angler! No fish, eh? Maybe you just didn’t CATCH ‘em!”

Scientists types like me don’t really know what to do with things like that, so I decided then and there to give up on the famous scientist aspirations once and for all and just go back to writing. And fishing.

Which we did – and to the surprise of no one at all, she outfished me.

Again!

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 4pm