Johns Creek Herald - August 10, 2023

PROVIDED

Military Veterans Hall of Fame awards scholarships

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame (GMVHOF) held their ROTC Scholarship Certificate Presentation Aug. 2 in a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Walk in Johns Creek’s Newtown Park.

Roughly 35 people attended the morning event held in front of The

North Fulton County beautification group names new director

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga.

— Keep North Fulton Beautiful announced Ryder Leary as its new executive director, who brings 16 years of experience from his time at the YMCA.

Leary will oversee all operations and community relations for Keep North Fulton Beautiful (KNFB), an environmental nonprofit that provides education and conservation programs to the communities of Johns Creek and Sandy Springs. The organization also operates the Sandy Springs Recycling Center on Morgan Falls Road.

Leary has made significant contributions to various YMCA chapters, according to the KNFB, including the YMCA of Central Florida and the YMCA of Florida's First Coast.

Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Two scholarships of $4,000 each were presented, one to Joshua Acklen of Roswell, the other to David Blackwell of Marietta for their involvement with the JROTC Program at The King’s Academy in Woodstock. Both graduates are entering freshmen and ROTC cadets at the University of North Georgia. Scholarships are

provided through donations from individual veterans and veterans organizations awarding $4,000 each to accomplished ROTC cadets.

“The feedback was highly positive, and they were deeply touched by the entire GMVHOF ROTC Scholarship Presentation Ceremony,” said Col. Rick White

See MILITARY, Page 6

For the past six years, Leary has been an integral part of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, the organization said, where his dedication to its mission and expertise in fundraising has supported numerous programs and initiatives promoting healthy living and social responsibility.

Born and raised in Fernandina Beach, Florida, Leary developed a deep appreciation for nature and the environment from a young age and is a proud graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned his degree.

From left, Retired Col. Rick White, Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame director and chairman of the board, stands with scholarship recipients Joshua Acklen and David Blackwell in front of The Wall That Heals at Newtown Park in Johns Creek Aug. 2. At right, is retired Col. Rick Stepat, JROTC senior army instructor at King’s Academy.

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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.

Couple loses thousands to phony federal agent

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police July 25 that he and his wife had received an error message from Microsoft, later found to be a scam.

The victim said a number was provided for them to call, and an individual answered who said there was fraudulent activity on their accounts, according to the police report. After being passed off to several people, they wound up speaking to a person posing as an FBI agent who told the victim he and his wife were being accused of several crimes and advised them to withdraw as much money as they could to “help the government,” the police report said.

The victim told police he then withdrew $20,000 from their bank account and was instructed to deposit it into a bitcoin machine in Lawrenceville. Because the machine was jammed, they deposited the remainder of the money, a total of $19,808, into the bitcoin account through a different machine.

The victims said they have received several calls and texts from unknown numbers since the incident and that they believe they are related.

Property owner reports damage to apartment

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — An Atlanta man reported to police July 26 that his Johns Creek property on Fairview Bluff had been vandalized and that there was potentially a squatter.

The victim reported eggs thrown at the door, which was standing ajar with a damaged frame. Inside, police observed trash and other items strewn about the floor and on the walls. The man estimated the damages to be around $5,000, the police report said.

The victim informed police the tenant had been issued an eviction notice but failed to show up to court. He also said there may have been a man he was familiar with squatting at the apartment.

Police called detectives to the scene, who conducted their investigation.

Ball Ground man cited for reckless driving

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police were dispatched to an accident on Buice Road July 28, where a man from Ball Ground allegedly operated heavy machinery without authorization and inflicted injuries on another driver.

The suspect told police he had parked his dumpster truck at Buice Road and Twingate Drive to collect tree clippings from an ongoing construction job. While on scene, the suspect said he noticed a caterpillar excavator with the keys inside, unoccupied, and that he had used it to load tree limbs into his truck.

While using the excavator on the sidewalk, the suspect extended the equipment arm too far into the roadway and sideswiped a truck causing severe damage and injuring the driver, the police report said. The driver was later transported to the hospital for neck pain and dizziness.

Police cited the suspect for reckless driving.

Thief takes cash drawer in restaurant burglary

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police July 30 he noticed the door of Marco’s Pizza on Abbotts Bridge Road shattered.

The store owner arrived on scene, who told police that a cash drawer containing $260 was missing from under the computer at the front desk.

Surveillance footage showed an unidentified White male in front of the store at around 4:30 a.m. that morning, who broke the front door glass with a rock and entered the business. The door was valued at around $500, the police report said. According to the police report, the suspect took the cash drawer and dumped it in front of Dynamo Swim Center on Abbotts Bridge Road, where $2.13 in change had been recovered by detectives.

Driver seriously injured in three-vehicle accident

MILTON, Ga. — A 3-vehicle accident occurred Aug. 3 at around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Batesville and Birmingham roads, according to a statement released from Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho. The accident caused serious injuries to one of the drivers.

Milton firefighters and police responded and promptly shut down parts of both roads.

The vehicles involved were a school bus, garbage truck and pickup truck. The garbage truck driver was transported for medical care with serious injuries. The school bus driver was transported for medical care with non-life-threatening injuries; there were no children on the bus at the time of the accident.

Parts of both roads remained closed early Thursday evening as part of the response effort.

Appen Media was unable to obtain a copy of the police incident report of the accident.

While the Open Records Act states that accident reports are subject to release to news organizations, a Milton records clerk said they are only releasable to individuals directly involved.

Lewis Walker to be recognized at financial planning convention

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Appen Media columnist Lewis J. Walker will be honored as a pioneer in the profession of financial planning at the 2023 Financial Planning Association convention Sept. 27-29 in Phoenix, Ariz.

PROVIDED

Northern District announces July Eagle Scouts

The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (Cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review on July 27, 2023, at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church.

Top Row—left to right:

Andrew Lampert, of Troop 1486, sponsored by North River Baptist Church, whose project was the design and construction of a puzzle table and a Lego table for Elkins Pointe Middle School.

Arya Iyer, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was the design and construction of a Chicken Coop Rainwater Harvesting & Watering System for Old Rucker Farm Park.

Srinandan Remala, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was relocating and refurbishing six wood benches that are on an abandoned trail in Providence Park.

Nikhil Deo, Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction five raised outdoor gardens for the Southeastern Railway Museum.

Vignesh Burugupalli, of Troop 3000, sponsored by Birmingham United Methodist Church, whose project was design and construction of a trailhead kiosk which will contain a map of the newly reopened Providence Park.

Johan Jerry, Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of four benches for the soccer field basketball court area at Lake Winward Elementary School.

Caleb Hankinson, of Troop 2143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 251, whose project was the design and construction of a Gaga pit and ball Rack for Peachtree Corners Baptist Church.

Bottom Row, from left: Julian Yelisetty, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, whose project was the design and construction of four raised garden boxes for Settles Bridge Elementary School.

Venkat Arun, of Troop 629, sponsored by Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of three picnic tables at Fulton Science Academy

Toby Chiu, of Troop 1486, sponsored by North River Baptist Church, whose project was the collection over 2,000 units of food for Meals by Grace Charity.

Patrick Jones, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was replacing the soil in 10 planter boxes, dismantling three planter boxes, spreading mulch across designated areas, building six bird boxes, and landscaping a 25-foot diameter area by placing rocks around the edge and installing pine straw for Creekview Elementary School.

John Burton Jr., of Troop 143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 251, whose project was the design and construction of three raised gardens with mesh covering for Happyfeat, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with special need.

Dhruv Jadhav, of Troop 143, sponsored by The American Legion Post 251, whose project was the design and construction of an information Kiosk, two raised block flower beds, and a gravel/stone path from the parking lot to the kiosk, at the greenway located at the Bell Road Roundabout.

Garrett Douglass, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was the design and construction 20 cat houses out of 50-quart coolers for Planned PEThood of Georgia.

The Financial Planning Association is the largest membership organization in America representing financial planners, with a primary focus on supporting Certified Financial Planners. FPA will celebrate the 50th anniversary of birth of the profession based on the graduation of the first group of CFP practitioners in 1973. Financial planning, now often called “financial life planning,” is an established profession across the globe.

Walker, MBA, CFP®, CEPA®, graduated with the third class from the College for Financial Planning in 1975. He was the 171st CFP designee in the world when “financial planning” was a concept in search of definition. As an early graduate of the college, Walker is being saluted as a “pioneer of the profession” at the convention in Phoenix.

In 1980, Walker, who lives in Johns Creek, joined the Board of Directors of the Institute for Certified Financial Planners (ICFP), serving as national president from 1986-1987, and chairman from 1987-1988. The ICFP was a forerunner of today’s Financial Planning Association. He established an independent financial planning firm in Atlanta in 1976. After 40 years of practice, he sold the firm in 2016, merging Walker Capital Management,

Inc., with Keen Insight Group, to form Capital Insight Group, a multi-advisor ensemble practice based in Peachtree Corners. Walker continues to serve as a senior advisor with Capital Insight Group.

He was a frequent contributor to the Journal of Financial Planning, including authorship of the long running “Future Trends” column. For years, Walker has been a weekly columnist for the Dunwoody Crier newspaper, and his column is now carried in five other Appen newspapers in Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Sandy Springs and Forsyth County.

He is the recipient of the 2004 Managed Account Pioneer Award from the Money Management Institute for his work in the development of separate account money management resources as an adjunct to taxefficient asset management. He was a first recipient of the FPA of Georgia HONORS award in 2002 and is the 2011 P. Kemp Fain, Jr., award honoree presented by the FPA.

Walker holds a B.S. degree in international transportation from the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and an MBA in marketing from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. A former U.S. Air Force officer, he is a Vietnam veteran, having served in country 1963-1964. Travel is his passion, and he has roamed all seven of earth’s diverse continents, including Antarctica and Arctic regions, living the dream to “worry less and wander more.”

Georgia Peaches celebrate national championship showings

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Four Georgia Peaches Girls Baseball teams returned home to North Georgia recently, victorious after the Baseball For All (BFA) Nationals Tournament in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Georgia Peaches 14U, 12U, 10U and 9U teams participated in the BFA Nationals Tournament July 12 through July 16, outscoring their opponents and sending several teams to the championship games, coaches said.

The 14U and 12U teams outscored their opponents 47- 18 and 40-17, and the 9U and 10U teams advanced to the 10U division championship.

Coaches said the 9U team’s performance during the tournament was particularly impressive, because they competed primarily against 10-year-olds throughout the week, while they only have players between 7 and 9 years old on their team.

By the end of the week, the 10U team collected 85 runs, 53 hits, 56 defensive strikeouts, and allowed only nine runs and nine hits.

“Our program continues to grow at an astonishing pace and our teams have become feared at both the local level and

at the national stage, where we’re proven to be a top program in the nation,” Georgia Peaches 9U head coach Ian Winklemann said.

J.P. Borod, head coach of the Georgia Peaches 10U team, said the 50 girls in the Georgia Peaches program had a great time during the tournament, playing their hearts out, bonding and making their communities proud.

“To say that the girls had a good time at this tournament would be an understatement,” he said. “This is

something they look forward to all year long.”

Georgia Peaches players come from all over the state, but they are predominantly from the North Georgia and Atlanta area. However, coaches said they have several players from neighboring states, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, that do not have an all-girls baseball program.

Because they are the only all-girls baseball program in Georgia, Borod said their teams typically only play against

boys teams locally. So the national championship is a perfect chance for the team to connect with other girls who are passionate about baseball.

“For most of the year when these girls step onto a ballfield, they hear sneers, they aren’t viewed as equals, it is assumed that they are less than,” he said. “At this tournament they can let down their guards and they can be themselves.”

Winklmann and Josh Cammack coach the 9U team, Borod and Marquis Harris coach the 10U team, Brian Terry and Christian Lafon coach the 12U team, and Garrett Wilson coaches the 14U team. Coaches said they are always looking for more girls who are passionate about baseball and want to develop their skills.

“For some odd reason after tee ball girls are led to believe that there is not a home for them in baseball and often their parents steer them towards softball,” Borod said. “We are here to break that fallacy. Our girls have shown they there is a place of for females in the sport of baseball.”

For more information about the Georgia Peaches Girls Baseball program visit them on Facebook or Instagram at www. facebook.com/GeorgiaPeachesBaseball and www.instagram.com/ georgiapeachesbaseball.

SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA

Forsyth County approves plan for new Hindu temple

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners approved plans for a 70,000-square-foot Hindu temple off Peachtree Parkway that initially drew criticism from neighbors. Now, residents say they have reached a compromise with developers.

At its Aug. 3 formal meeting, commissioners approved amended conditions and variances for the Sujnana Religious and Charitable Foundation that allows construction of the new Shri Krishna Vrundavana temple. The 6-acre site is at Peachtree Parkway and South Clement Road.

Plans include 197 parking spaces, green space for outdoor activities and two bridges across the drainage creek on the parcel that connect the 3-story temple to the larger parking lot. The site borders three subdivisions.

To ameliorate noise concerns from the neighboring homeowners associations, commissioners approved a condition that prohibits fireworks at the temple except on New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, one day of Diwali and one other celebratory day. The temple may display fireworks for no more than four days each year.

The project was introduced to the Board of Commissioners July 6 at a meeting and public hearing. Six residents spoke in opposition to the plans, many citing concerns about noise and increased traffic on the busy Peachtree Parkway.

“[South Clement Road] is a little two-lane road with probably the most dangerous intersection in the county,” speaker Allen Carver said. “I’ve seen numerous serious accidents.”

The nearest Georgia Department of Transportation annual average daily traffic count on the roadway estimates 36,600 drivers as of 2022.

Project attorney Wendy Kraby said the religious services at the temple are staggered, which would alleviate concerns about 200 vehicles leaving the site at once.

Project staff emphasized the proposed temple as a place of community beyond just a religious venue.

“It is our core belief that a lot of us are who we are primarily because we have been guided by the virtues and the philosophy that we’ve been taught by … these temples,” temple member Balakrishna Rao said at the July meeting. “The temple, for us, is not just a symbol or a place, per se, but it’s a collection of people. It is the

place where we mold our kids.”

To allow further negotiations between the applicant and neighbors, County Commissioner Laura Semanson proposed a deferral, which passed unanimously, to the Aug. 3 meeting. The property is in Semanson’s District 5.

At the August meeting, speaker Scott Carroll said representatives from the temple and developers met with neighbors and addressed the issues.

“Five HOAs have come together, and there have been concessions on both sides,” Caroll said. “And we’re in full support of [the County Commission] granting those variances that are there.”

Shri Krishna Vrundavana currently operates on rented property on Shiloh Road. Forsyth County officials said the county does not record the number of Hindu temples because places of worship do not require business licenses. Google Maps identifies at least four locations registered as Hindu temples in the county.

Forsyth County commissioners approved Aug. 3 a new Shri Krishna Vrundavana temple on a site off Peachtree Parkway. Plans for the 70,000-square-foot facility drew concerns from nearby residents in July.

MAPS BY FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED

A site map shows the approved, new location of the Shri Krishna Vrundavana temple off Peachtree Parkway and South Clement Road. Plans for the site include 197 parking spaces, green space for outdoor activities and two bridges across the drainage creek on the parcel that connect the 3-story temple to the larger parking lot.

Morgan Stanley announces plans to expand Alpharetta operations

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Morgan Stanley announced July 27 it is expanding its lease at The Edison Alpharetta, news Alpharetta officials are celebrating as a major economic victory for the city.

The 216,000-square-foot office complex just off Windward Parkway was built between 2018 and 2019. Morgan Stanley currently leases half of the facility, but with the expansion, its offices will fill the entire complex.

The Edison is owned by Invesco Real Estate, and the transaction was managed by Stream Realty Partners.

“In a year marked by subleases, downsizing tenants and sluggish commercial real estate activity, we are thrilled to announce this monumental lease transaction that is one of the largest in the Atlanta market thus far in 2023,” Stream Realty Managing Director Bryan Heller said. “This is a major coup for Alpharetta.”

Project staff said the office is ideally located near Avalon and the Big Creek Greenway, a sentiment shared by Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin and Economic Development Manager Lance Morsell.

Morsell said the Windward corridor is an economic powerhouse for the city, and the business district houses eight of the city’s top-10 employers.

“The opportunity came about for [Morgan Stanley] to secure an additional lease in that area,” Morsell said. “They

moved on it quickly, and made it clear to us that Alpharetta was a long-term investment that they wanted to continue to grow.”

Gilvin said talks on the expansion began around 2021 when many businesses were reassessing real estate investments and flexibility in the workplace after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He attributed the city’s investments in quality of life and transportation projects, such as the Ga. 400 Express Lanes, the Alpha Loop and mixed-use development on Haynes Bridge Road, to Morgan Stanley’s decision to expand in Alpharetta.

“The private sector is what has created the Alpharetta you see today,” Gilvin said.

“It takes great elected leadership. It takes

great team management with employees of the City of Alpharetta, but the city didn't build Avalon. And the city didn't build City Center.”

Because the project is still in its early stages, Morsell said there are no projections on how many the Morgan Stanley location will employ after the expansion. But, based on businesses of similar sizes, he estimated payroll to be somewhere in the hundreds.

“We don't really have an exact number, but we do know that they did hire a lot during the pandemic, which was also another impressive feat, given the market forces that shifted over the past three years,” he said.

Morsell said office space in Alpharetta

has a vacancy average of roughly 18 percent.

But, he said locations like The Edison with amenities that allow employees to interact with parks and retail, are proving more successful in securing tenants.

“If you think about areas within Alpharetta and [the] North Fulton region, any office space that’s in the downtown area is actually doing quite well,” he said. “Same with Avalon, and Avalon's kind of given a bit of a halo effect, where even some of the office that exists on the other side of Old Milton Parkway is doing quite well just because of its close proximity to Avalon. You’re really starting to see amenitized, creative office space be what’s winning the day.”

Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club fundraises for children’s hospital

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The SawneeCumming Optimist Club raised $13,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta May 8 at its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Laurel Springs Golf Club.

“Over the past 11 years, the tournament has generously funded

Military:

Continued from Page 1

(retired), Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame director and chairman of the board. “This will encourage some of our Georgia high school students to consider becoming part of their school’s JROTC Program.”

The scholarship was created by the Hall of Fame’s Founder, Col. Paul Longgrear. In 2020, the GMVHOF Board of Directors voted to establish the ROTC Scholarship Program to

items to specifically provide support and care for our patients and families in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center,” CHOA Community Development Officer Laurie Cole said. “Thank you for always bringing out the best in kids.”

Optimist Club President Carolynn Martin said Paul Sturtz, who was diagnosed with stage four bone cancer at 6 years old, was the tournament’s 2023 CHOA child ambassador. Sturtz is currently cancer-free after receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment,

she said.

“Paul was such an inspiration for our event and our golfers,” Martin said. “He touched everyone there and had such an impact on the entire day."

— Shelby Israel

“inspire and prepare future leaders for America.”

In addition to earning impressive GPA and SAT scores, potential candidates must graduate high school with heavy involvement in the JROTC program. From there, they must also be accepted into a four-year Georgia college or university and its respective ROTC program with the intention of serving in the U.S. Military upon graduation.

“[Longgrear] felt that the U.S. was in urgent need of future leaders for our great nation and that one way to help develop those leaders

was through the high school JROTC program and the college or university’s ROTC program,” White said.

Acklen’s scholarship is in honor of the late U.S. Navy veteran “Submarine” Mike Kotler of Alpharetta.

CLACK KOTLER

Blackwell’s scholarship honored retired U.S. Army Capt. Tommy Clack, also of Alpharetta.

In accordance with their mission

statement, the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame is a non-profit corporation existing for the purpose of “honoring Georgia veterans, educating the youth and citizens of Georgia about real heroes, and preparing future leaders for America through the GMVHOF ROTC Scholarship Program.” To learn more about the organization or how you can donate, visit www.gmvhof.org.

STREAM REALTY PARTNERS/PROVIDED

Morgan Stanley will occupy all 216,000 square feet of The Edison Alpharetta after doubling its lease at the office complex near Windward Parkway. Alpharetta officials said the project is likely to make Morgan Stanley one of the city’s biggest employers of the last decade.

I used to collect words; Now someone has done it for me

I just finished reading a book that was on my wife’s book club list, “The Dictionary of Lost Words.” It was a wonderful, easy summer beach read that moved me in a way that I haven’t known in a long time, at least since Anthony Doerr’s “All the Light We Cannot See.”

far away to another time, and it did mine old memories in me, memories that had been dormant for years – one reveal after another.

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus

The last few years I have been reading more and more non-fiction – generally history or popular social commentary. Think Michael Lewis (“The Premonition,” “The Undoing Project,” “The Blind Side”) or books by Malcolm Gladwell (“The Tipping Point,” “Outliers,” “Blink).**

I love those types of books that Lewis and Gladwell write. They entertain, illuminate, educate and generally help me understand just a little better who I am and who others are – and why. Reading them is like opening a road map to how we think and following the roads wherever they take us.

Those roads – those kinds of books – however don’t move me the way fiction can and has. They are not magic. They don’t lift me up and take me far away into worlds I don’t know. They don’t reach into my heart or soul and change me in some way like those rare, works of fiction do – TS Elliot, Hemingway, Mary Oliver or Louise Gluck. Gluck was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal.”

“The Dictionary of Lost Words” took me

About halfway through the book I remembered that I used to collect words many years ago, literally “collect” them much in the same way that Esme, the protagonist in the book, collected the rejected words. These- words that for one reason or another were deliberately excluded from the original Oxford English Dictionary that was composed roughly between 1900 and 1912.

Esme’s collection of ‘lost words” had a purpose – a reason. Most of Esme’s “lost” words were those that had been discounted and, in a sense, shunned primarily by the men who edited the OED, and the editors were by in large, all men around the turn of the century. That is, they were words that were not important to them but could have been important to a woman. History, context, politics and social order were the filters that were illuminated and annotated throughout this book – woven in and out of the author’s engaging story like a patchwork quilt depicting the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary.

My collection of words was far less ambitious. I just collected words that I didn’t know, and which seemed interesting; I wasn’t on a mission, like Esme.

My word collection began when I was in my early teens. I kept a notebook by my bed and every time I encountered an interesting word I would log it into my notebook: definition, sentence, and the name of the book and page number in which I found the word. Since I was very

young and didn’t know much, I discovered a lot of words. In fact, I felt like an eager prospector during a gold rush, working a fecund steam, panning for linguistic treasures in the books.

Most of my early word discoveries were from two books – Will and Ariel Durant’s “The Lessons of History,” and a little bit later, Gibbon’s “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” And while I still have not finished Gibbon’s work – it’s in tatters, a fading green paperback on my bookshelf still with another 20 percent yet to be read – I don’t think I ever turned a single page without finding new words for the collection.

Years later after college (in the early 1980s) I moved to Chile and took my word collection with me. Other than some clothes and a guitar, my books and my word collection were about the only things I took. There, my word collection took a huge turn; it began to include Spanish words and their histories. I began to read in Spanish novels and poetry: Pablo Neruda, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Luis Borges (El Hacedor), and others.

At some point, Spanish became my default language. I thought it, wrote it, dreamed it, and read it by preference. It was more descriptive than English. It had better words, often simpler words that described people or things so much better than the equivalent English. Often there simply was no English equivalent.

When I left Chile to go home and recover from an illness, I intended to return, so I didn’t take my stuff with me. It turns out I never did go back to Chile to live and all my belongings – including my word collection – disappeared forever, left in a tiny upstairs room in the small port of

San Antonio. Of note, most of San Antonio was destroyed in a massive earthquake not long after I left so, my word collection truly was lost.

Timing is everything.

We use words to tell stories, and “stories” are the oil that lubricates societies. Sometimes the words themselves are the story, a story that tells greater truths about our world. That was the case in “The Dictionary of Lost Words” – a story within a story, within a story –not unlike the movie “Inception.“

Paying attention to written words is important. It is like looking into a mirror, one that illuminates everything and hides nothing.

Words are more powerful than bombs. They cannot be discounted or ignored. Paying attention to words is a way to stay in the present but also know the past and possibly the future. Words are living histories and are in constant flux. Lose connection to the written words and lose connection to what is important “now,” “this hour,” “this minute.” Words can help ground us if we slow down and pay attention. They can keep us connected if we let them.

** On a different note, for those of you who love to read, I cannot resist recommending (again) two amazing, non-fiction books. These spell-binding easy-reads delve into aspects of our recent past that are incredibly important. Both are true stories about the pandemic, but they reveal the actual backstories that took place, and in large part, determined the course of events.

• “The Premonition” by Michael Lewis

• “Code Breaker” by Walter Isaacson

Kids get special treatment in mobile spa, just for them

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Decked out in robes, a small group of young girls and one boy lined up along a red carpet to enter the Spoiled Rotten Kids Spa Partybus, where makeovers awaited them.

Owner Khadija Bronson, a Johns Creek resident, helped them on, one by one, in front of a business off Crabapple Road in Roswell. Geared for ages 2 to 13, the bus travels around town and as far as the Lawrenceville area, usually for weekend birthday parties.

Bronson’s staff manned a pedicure station to one side of the bus and on the other, a table for manicures. A chair at the front is where Bronson added color to a girl’s eyelids — makeup is the kids’ favorite.

She also offers chocolate facials and a fashion show. After their makeovers, the group was set to walk on a mini-runway, wearing tutus, boas and other accessories hanging above the door. In down times, her young clients have access to an outside patio attached to the truck, bordered by a white picket fence.

In the average salon, pedicure chairs will swallow a small kid. But on the bus, all the furniture is sized for children — little tables, little chairs, little bowls.

“I just wanted to do something that was more kid-friendly, like something on their level — not too grown,”

See SPA, Page 9

I just wanted to do something that was more kid-friendly, like something on their level — not too grown .

KHADIJA BRONSON, owner, Spoiled Rotten Kids Spa Partybus

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Spoiled Rotten Kids Spa owner Khadijah Bronson ushers children in robes onto the bus for makeovers.

A staff member on the Spoiled Rotten Kids Spa Partybus paints a boy’s nails. Owner Khadijah Bronson opened the spa for kids in 2008 and has since gone mobile only. Kids, ages 2 to 13, can receive manicures, pedicures, facials and participate

Spa:

Continued from Page 8

Bronson said.

One girl, who had just gotten her makeup and nails done, said she loved how “pretty” the bus was. Its aesthetic, glitz and glam and very pink, is as loud as the pop music playing over the speakers.

Featured on “The Tyra Banks Show,” Bronson said her business was the first of its kind in the country when it hit ground in 2008. She once operated three storefronts, in Washington, D.C., and in Maryland, but decided to go mobile, finding it a better business route.

“Most people like for us to come to them, and then they can still have the experience at their house,” Bronson said. “... We’re more like a party/ babysitter because the kids come on the bus, the parents are inside.”

The business is a full-circle

moment for Bronson. She recalled being in 8th and 9th grade, dipping pencil tips in nail polish to paint designs.

“It’s crazy how it came about, to this,” Bronson said. “I didn’t grow up wanting to do this job, but I love it.”

She said her business is one where you have to love kids, and have patience, for when a girl cries when she accidentally messes up her nails, which happened earlier that day. For Bronson, it’s all worth it, especially when she sees children smiling and becoming more secure in themselves.

“They come out here and break out of their shell,” Bronson said.

For more information or to book a reservation, visit spoiledrottenkidsspa.com

Hall, DNP, FNP-C Johns

Samantha Lewis, FNP-C Johns

Yianna Manolakis, FNP-C Milton Only Heather Menees, FNP-C Johns Creek Only

Dr. Samantha Benson

Dr. Cheryl McGowan

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

in fashion shows on the bus.

Spoiled Rotten Kids Spa is a mobile spa service for kids, ages 2 to 13, that has traveled as far as the Lawrenceville area for birthdays. Services are typically provided on weekends.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Unveiling the truth about youth mental health

Brought to you by - Summit Counseling Center

Recent statistics paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by our youth. According to a comprehensive study, an alarming 1 in 5 adolescents grapple with mental health issues, ranging from depression and anxiety to addiction and suicidal ideation. The effects of childhood trauma (which studies have shown affects over twothirds of the population) are also significant, affecting a child’s overall well-being and future life outcomes. Additionally, the influence of social media can worsen mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and attention issues.

The 2022 Ken Burns documentary Hiding in Plain Sight gives voice to the experiences of young people who struggle with mental health challenges like these and focuses on the importance of awareness and empathy. The film includes insights from families, providers, and advocates and explores the impact of childhood trauma, stigma, and social media.

The North Fulton Mental Health Collaborative is determined to confront these critical issues head-on, promoting awareness, understanding, and dialogue within our community. At our next meeting on Thursday, August 31st from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, we invite you to a free screening of Hiding in Plain Sight and a panel

ALPHARETTA-ROSWELL

| FORSYTH

| JOHNS CREEK

MILTON HERALD | DUNWOODY CRIER | SANDY SPRINGS CRIER

Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers

discussion following the presentation. Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis will be moderating a panel discussion with mental health leaders in our community.

This gathering provides a unique opportunity to connect with likeminded individuals, businesses, and organizations passionate about mental health. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge stigma, and create a supportive environment for those facing mental health challenges. Register today at tinyurl.com/ NFMHC823.

Ticks are ruining hot dogs and hamburgers

Brought to You by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Although I grew up in Georgia, I spent my summers near Boone, North Carolina at my granddad’s Christmas tree farm. Most mornings, I helped him in the fields where, at 70 years old, my granddad still easily outworked me. As the sun rose higher, I inevitably asked permission to leave the heavy burlap bags behind to hike into the cool shade of the mountain hollows above his fields. At the day’s end, my dog Willy and I would return with muddy scratches and a tick or two to pluck off our skin.

At the time, I didn’t recognize ticks for what they are. I thought that they were just another nuisance like a spider or a wasp. They are so much worse.

Ticks are vile, nefarious, silent creeping instruments of disease, disability, and death. The list of diseases that they carry stands at over two dozen and counting. Ticks carry bacterial diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia (a type of plague). Ticks carry viruses such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Powassan virus. They carry protozoal diseases like Babesiosis. Some ticks even produce a toxin that can completely paralyze you and result in death if the tick is not found and removed. In the movie Oppenheimer, the famous physicist contemplates the destructive power of the atomic bomb and says “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” For me, the tiny tick is every bit as soul-shivering as the tiny atom.

Alright, maybe that comparison is a bit over the top, but ticks really are terrible. In addition to the diseases and toxins listed above is the amazing ability of some ticks to make their human victims allergic to mammalian meat including beef, pork, lamb and more. Ticks can cause a disease called Alphagal syndrome in which people bitten by a tick develop an allergy to these meats. Many patients with Alpha-gal can also no longer eat dairy.

Some mammals including cows, pigs and deer produce a carbohydrate (a chain of sugar molecules) called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (aka “alpha-gal”). When a tick feeds on one of these animals, some alpha-gal particles remain in the tick’s digestive tract. When the tick then feeds on a human, the tick injects a bit of this alpha-gal into the bloodstream of the human which can cause the human to develop an allergic reaction to alpha-gal carbohydrates.

Then, if the human eats food or products made from animals that produce alphagal, the human will have an allergic reaction. Three to eight hours after eating alpha gal-containing mammalian meat, affected individuals develop symptoms ranging from severe stomach pain to rashes, hives, difficulty breathing and even anaphylaxis.

Patients with Alpha-gal can still eat chicken, turkey, eggs and seafood, but some non-obvious foods like jello as well as some medicines can contain alphagal. Refined readers will be dismayed to learn that the CDC website on Alpha-gal syndrome states that Rocky Mountain oysters and “scrapple” are particularly high in alpha-gal. For me, prairie oysters and scrapple were always off the table, but hamburgers and hot dogs are more than just an American staple – they are an American treasure. When my kids and I have discussed what defines Mexican food, French fare, and other national cuisine, they have asked me what qualifies as “American” food. I believe that there is no more obvious answer than a burger at a backyard barbeque with friends or a hot dog at a family outing to a baseball game. And ticks are trying to ruin it!

Ticks aren’t just attacking us in National Parks. They are attacking us in our backyards. They are riding our clothes and animals inside to attack us where we live. They are causing allergies so that we can no longer eat hamburgers and hot dogs. Ticks are un-American.

In all seriousness, ticks really are more dangerous than I ever realized in my childhood, and recognizing the dangers of tick bites should provide inspiration to use insect repellants, carefully check clothing, hair and fur after outings and seek care for any signs of tick-borne illness. Some diseases ticks carry can cause lifelong disability or death, and parents and grandparents alike should perform “tick checks” in armpits and other nooks and crannies for unwanted pests after time in woods or fields. In areas endemic for Lyme disease, recent guidelines are even suggesting prophylactic doses of doxycycline after prolonged tick exposure (tick attachment for 36 hours or more).

As a Mohs surgeon, I have learned that the beach-goer has more to fear from the Sun in the sky than from a shark in the water. As someone who loves the great outdoors, I would add that I am more afraid of the tick on the leaf than the bear in the woods. If you, like me, have ever been sun-kissed or tick-bitten, Premier Dermatology is happy to help.

OralID: Revolutionizing Early Oral Cancer Detection

Brought to you by - Roswell Dental Care, Dr. Destinee Hood

As oral healthcare professionals, one of our primary objectives is to provide our patients with the highest level of care possible. To achieve this, we are constantly keeping up with the latest advancements in technology and treatment options. In recent years, a groundbreaking tool known as OralID has emerged, redefining how we detect and diagnose oral cancer. In this article, we will explore the significance of OralID and its role in the early detection of potentially life-threatening oral diseases.

Why Early Detection Matters: Oral cancer affects millions of people worldwide, and unfortunately, the survival rates for late-stage diagnosis are disheartening. However, research has shown that early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery. To combat this issue, the dental community has been actively seeking innovative solutions, and OralID has paved the way for a brighter future in oral cancer detection. What is OralID? OralID is a state-of-the-art oral screening device that utilizes fluorescence technology to identify abnormal cells in the mouth. It involves the use of a handheld device that emits a harmless blue light into the oral cavity. The healthy tissues absorb the light while abnormal tissues or potential lesions appear dark. This quick and painless procedure allows us, as dentists, to detect lesions that may be otherwise undetectable by the naked eye.

The Benefits of OralID:

1. Non-invasive: Unlike traditional screening methods, such as biopsies, OralID is a non-invasive technique that does not require taking any tissue samples. This means minimal discomfort for patients during the screening process.

2. Early detection: By using OralID, we can identify potential abnormalities at their earliest stages, providing patients with a higher chance of successful treatment and positive outcomes. Early intervention can save lives.

3. Time-efficient: OralID allows us to perform screenings quickly and efficiently during routine dental check-ups. This means there’s now a higher likelihood of detecting

issues in their earliest stages without requiring additional appointments or invasive procedures.

4. Peace of mind: Regular oral cancer screenings using OralID can provide patients with peace of mind, knowing that their oral health is being thoroughly monitored. Early detection allows for timely intervention, reducing anxiety and potential complications down the road.

How to Prepare for an OralID Screening:

Preparing for an OralID screening is simple and straightforward. You should avoid consuming any foods or drinks that may stain your teeth, such as coffee or colored beverages, as these can affect the clarity of the screening results. Additionally, it is essential for patients to maintain good oral hygiene practices by brushing their teeth thoroughly before the appointment.

As your dental healthcare providers, Drs. Hood and Remaley remain committed to staying at the forefront of oral health advancements, and OralID is yet another remarkable tool we are proud to utilize. By utilizing this cutting-edge technology, we can save lives, ensure successful treatment outcomes, and ultimately promote a healthier and happier community. For enhanced comfort during treatment, we offer conscious sedation including FREE nitrous oxide for anxious patients. You can rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding on many levels. Remember, prevention and early detection are key. Call to schedule your regular dental check-up today and experience the confidence that comes with being proactive about your oral health. Please call us at 770-998-6736 for more information.

Photo of what is seen under white light and blue light filter.

Pregnancy and dentistry: Navigating oral health for expectant mothers

Brought to you by – The

Atlanta Center for Dental Health

Pregnancy is a transformative period in a woman’s life, marked by numerous physical and hormonal changes. These changes can have implications for oral health, making proper dental care during pregnancy crucial for both the mother and the developing baby. Balancing the need for dental treatments with potential concerns for fetal safety requires careful consideration and communication between healthcare providers. This article delves into the intersection of pregnancy and dentistry, shedding light on the challenges and guidelines for maintaining optimal oral health during this vital phase.

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can lead to a variety of oral health issues, including pregnancy gingivitis and increased susceptibility to cavities. Elevated levels of progesterone and estrogen can cause gums to become inflamed and more prone to bleeding when brushing or flossing. This condition, known as pregnancy gingivitis, typically occurs during the second to eighth months of pregnancy. If left untreated, it can escalate to a more severe form called pregnancy-associated

pyogenic granuloma, which results in the growth of a red, nodular mass on the gums. Moreover, morning sickness, coupled with frequent snacking, can expose teeth to higher levels of acid, increasing the risk of tooth decay.

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential during pregnancy. However, many expectant mothers worry about the safety of dental treatments and X-rays. Dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and even some essential root canals can be performed safely during pregnancy, especially after the first trimester. Elective procedures like teeth whitening and cosmetic treatments are best postponed until after delivery. X-rays can be undertaken with necessary precautions, such as using a lead apron and thyroid collar to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus. It’s vital for pregnant patients to inform their dentists about their pregnancy and any medications or supplements they are taking.

Maintaining good oral hygiene practices is paramount. Dentists often recommend using a softer toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste to reduce the risk of gum irritation and tooth decay. Additionally, regular flossing

and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash can help control bacteria and plaque buildup. Healthcare providers should emphasize the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and seeking timely dental care for expectant mothers. Some pregnant individuals may worry that dental procedures could induce preterm labor, but current research suggests that there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim.

Pregnancy and dentistry are intertwined in intricate ways that

necessitate special attention. While hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate oral health issues, proper dental care remains achievable and essential. Collaboration between pregnant individuals, obstetricians, and dentists is vital to ensure that necessary dental treatments are conducted safely. By adhering to recommended guidelines, maintaining regular dental checkups, and practicing good oral hygiene, expectant mothers can safeguard not only their oral health but also the overall well-being of both them and their developing babies. A healthy mouth will help the mother have a full-term healthy baby.

“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic

Dr. Bradley Hepler, Dr. Jeffrey Priluck and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover which of these options is best for you, please call us at 770-992-2236.

ADOBE STOCK

Pain Relieving Laser Therapy

Brought to you by - Johns Creek Physical Therapy

Having treated hundreds of patients over the past 6 years with Pain Relieving Laser Therapy, it’s not hard for me to appreciate how well it works. But if you’ve never tried it, trust me when I tell you…. you’re missing out!

Several years ago, John Deere ran a promotion on their zero turn lawn mowers. They used a fun tag line, “It’s not how fast you mow, it’s how well you mow FAST!” I wish I could come up with a similar tag line for Pain Relieving Laser Therapy because it can deliver pain relief in just a few minutes. It’s not uncommon for patients to have their pain be reduced by 50% on the first treatment.

How does it work? Pain Relieving Laser Therapy uses light energy to promote healing and reduce pain. Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and is a great alternative to medications and injections.

The most common thing we hear after someone tries it for the first

time is “WOW!” I’m sure if you are just reading this article, you are probably thinking, “yeah, RIGHT??!! Nothing works that fast!” But don’t

take my word for it, call our office today and schedule your FREE TRIAL. The only thing you have to lose is your pain!

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

Fall Risk Screening Now Available!

Helping to Prevent Falls

Sponsored by JOHNS CREEK PHYSICAL THERAPY

Did You Know:

• Every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the ER after a fall?

• Every year in the United States 1 out of 4 older adults has a fall?

Every year in the United States 1 out of 4 older adults has a fall?

Our goal and commitment to residents and the community

In our continuing effort to provide the best care and treatment available, we now offer a Fall Risk Screening & Conditioning Program featuring Biodex balance technology. A preliminary baseline assessment compares your unique balance score against measurable, objective goals. The six week program is tailored to improve balance, strength and overall mobility.

• Death rates from falls have increased by 31% in the last decade?

• Falling once doubles your chances of falling again?

records and to take to your physician.

If you would like to see just how good your balance is, for the month of August we are offering a Comprehensive Balance Test for only $49 (normally $99).

Testing and training exercises, such as weight shift and limits of stability, can safely and effectively mitigate fall risk in older adults, and treat post-surgical rehabilitation patients. Our mission is to protect independence and ensure the highest quality of life.

• Falls can cause fractures, head injuries and other medical injuries?

Johns Creek Physical Therapy is now offering a Fall Risk Screening and Wellness Program featuring Biodex Balance Technology. A preliminary baseline assessment compares your individual balance score against age related normative data. A printed report can be generated for your own personal

For placement on white or light background

We invite you to schedule an appointment to test your balance.

The Balance Assessment might be covered by your health insurance plan. For more information or to schedule your 30-minute Balance Assessment appointment call 770-622-5344.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Pkwy. Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024

PROVIDED

Hear better. Think sharper.

Brought to you by - Newtown Hearing Center

The research is clear: The worse your hearing is, the less you participate in the little things that make life so enjoyable.1,2 From hearing the waves roll in during a seaside stroll to a conversation over dinner with friends, decreased ability to hear decreases your ability to participate.

What’s worse, that decrease in participation can lead to decreased cognitive skills, even to the point of dementia.

The good news? It’s all found in the remarkable WIDEX MOMENT hearing aid, offered at Newtown Hearing Center. In fact, 90% of people wearing WIDEX MOMENT are satisfied with their ability to participate in everyday life.3,4

Hear better. Think sharper. Our brains were designed to hear. So much

so, in fact, that when our hearing deteriorates, our brains go into overdrive, striving to ‘fill in the gaps’ and help us fully engage. Hearing aids can help, but they can also produce sound that seems artificial or overly processed, leaving our brains, once again, scrambling to help us stay connected. WIDEX MOMENT, on the other hand, delivers clearer, more natural sound to your ear — and your brain. It’s a pure spectrum of the sounds you’ve always remembered, in a way you’ve always remembered hearing them. Now, you can participate in what’s happening, instead of worrying about what you’re missing.

Better hearing leads to better living.

To see how this sound quality can improve your life, you may contact Newtown Hearing Center at 470-2942116 or request an appointment at www. newtownhearing.com.

1 Ogawa et al. 2019. Hearing-Impaired Elderly People Have Smaller Social Networks: A Population-Based Aging Study. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

2 Hwang et al. 2018. Effects of Participation in Social Activities on Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

3 Balling, et al, 2020. Reducing Hearing Aid Delay for Optimal Sound Quality. Hearing Review 27(4);20-26

4 Balling, Townend, Helmink. Sound Quality in Real Life—Not Just for Experts. Hearing Review 2021

Partner with Wellstar to stay up to date on screenings

Brought to you byWellstar

From balancing a busy work schedule to running errands around town, it can be easy to keep putting off important wellness appointments. However, an annual visit with your Wellstar primary care provider is one of the best investments you can make in your health.

At your check-up, your provider will assess your health with a physical exam and wellness screenings to help you understand your current health stats and stay ahead of potential medical issues.

These screenings include:

• Blood pressure. The healthiest reading is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Catching cancer early

At Wellstar, we believe in lowering risk and preventing cancer whenever possible. When screenings catch cancer in earlier stages, patients can have better outcomes. Your provider may recommend cancer screenings, including:

This blood test measures your PSA level and can be used to detect prostate cancer. Most patients will start this screening at age 50, but if you are at higher risk of prostate cancer, including if you are a Black man, your provider may recommend earlier screenings.

DASOVEANU

“Your primary care provider will collaborate with you to create a customized care plan and recommend screenings based on factors such as your age, gender and family history,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Cristina Dasoveanu. “Regular screenings can help you stay ahead of issues and catch any health concerns early.”

Be proactive with your health

• Blood glucose. A healthy blood sugar level is less than 140 mg/dL if you have not been fasting and less than 100 mg/dL if you have been fasting.

• Blood cholesterol. For women and men, an ideal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is less than 100. For women, the ideal high-density lipoprotein (HDL) reading is 50 or higher, and for men, it is 40 or higher.

The results of these preventative screenings may help identify risk factors and indicate the onset of certain conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

• Mammogram. If you are at average risk of developing breast cancer, you should start annual mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your provider may recommend you start screenings earlier and can help you create a personalized screenings plan.

• Colonoscopy. This is a colorectal cancer screening using a flexible, lighted tube to examine and remove polyps from the colon and rectum. People at average risk should start colonoscopies at age 45, but your provider may recommend earlier screenings depending on your risk factors or family history.

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA).

Find a provider at wellstar.org/ primarycare. Locations serving the North Fulton area include:

2450 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta (470) 267-0360

2570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Alpharetta (770) 650-8980

260 Rucker Road, Alpharetta (470) 956-4540

4895 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta (770) 475-0888

1360 Upper Hembree Road, Roswell (770) 740-1753

Stop an apocalypse of invasive plants with good choices

Apocalypses and alien invasions have long been popular themes in print and video. The H. G. Wells classic “The War of the Worlds,” the original “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “The Walking Dead” and “The Last of Us” are just a few fan favorites that demonstrate how alien invasions can be entertaining.

In real life? Not so much. Especially when an invasion and the resulting apocalypse is a result of someone’s plant choice that turns out to be invasive.

The U.S. Forest Service defines an “invasive plant species” as not native to a given ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive plants have the potential to take over a landscape, smothering out native plants or other plants that we want in our landscape.

Frequently called “the vine that ate the South,” kudzu was brought to America in 1876 during the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and introduced to the Southeast in 1883 at the New Orleans Exposition. Originally thought to be helpful for soil erosion control and planted widely, kudzu quickly got out of control. Kudzu can pretty much overtake everything in its path, growing a foot per day, with mature vines as long as 100 feet.

Many people favor English ivy, a non-native perennial vine. Do traditional ivy-covered cottages and houses make a picturesque image? Yes! Can those lovely green English ivy vines (Hedera helix) climbing those brick walls (and stucco and windows and trees) create damage if left unchecked? If you live in Georgia, you bet! English ivy is known to cause damage to brickwork and trees and take over landscapes.

As all species do, plants compete for light, water, nutrients and space to live. Unfortunately, some species too easily out-compete others and rapidly overtake a landscape, reducing biodiversity and threatening plants that support an environment and pollinators. Kudzu, English ivy, Chinese privet and mimosa are some of those on invasive plant lists.

Remember, not all non-native plants are invasive, and many nonnative plants look great in our urban landscapes and perform well. However, we should be aware of the damage that

can occur from plants that are invasive. For example, if you employ ivy in your landscape, say as a groundcover for a steep incline or other difficult area, keep in mind its propensity to quickly overtake other habitats and displace beneficial native species.

If you’re unsure if a plant has zombie potential, “Invasive Plants of the Southeast” (botgarden.uga.edu/ wp-content/uploads/2017/01/InvasiveSpecies-Brochure.pdf) is a handy guide produced by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance that lists the top 20 invasive species:

1. Chinese Privet, Ligustrum sinense

2. Nepalese Browntop, Microstegium vimineum

3. Autumn Olive, Elaeagnus umbellata

4. Chinese Wisteria, Wisteria sinensis & Japanese Wisteria, W. floribunda

5. Mimosa, Albizia julibrissin

6. Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica

7. Amur Honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii

8. Multiflora Rose, Rosa multiflora

9. Hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata

10. Kudzu, Pueraria montana

11. Golden Bamboo, Phyllostachys aurea

12. Oriental Bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus

13. English Ivy, Hedera helix

14. Tree-of-Heaven, Ailanthus altissima

15. Chinese Tallow, Sapium sebiferum

16. Chinese Princess Tree, Paulownia tomentosa

17. Japanese Knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum

18. Silvergrass, Miscanthus sinensis

19. Thorny Olive, Elaeagnus pungens

20. Nandina, Nandina domestica.

Some other helpful resources include:

• Georgia’s Exotic Pest Plant Council list of non-native invasive plants: gaeppc.org/list/.

• What to Look For: wildspotter.org/ what-to-look-for.cfm, a collaborative project of the University of Georgia, Wildlife Forever, the USDA Forest Service, and others.

• Learn more about invasive species in Georgia at Invasive.org.

What are the best ways to get rid of invasive plants? The UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin “Invasive Plants of Georgia Forests” (gatrees.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/InvasivePlants-of-Georgia-Forests.pdf) and “Managing Invasive Plants in the GA Piedmont” (https://athenslandtrust. org/our-work/land-conservation/

invasive-species-guide/) have suggestions.

Remember that plants native to Georgia tend to perform better in our climate, require less maintenance and are more attractive to pollinators. If you’d like some good plant suggestions, “Invasive Plants of the Southeast” also has a helpful list of native groundcovers, vines, shrubs, small and large trees recommended for the Southeast. (Hint: Scarlet Oak, Quercus coccinea is a recommended tree.)

Learn more

Happy gardening!

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

• UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletins “Invasive Plants of Georgia Forests,” “Native Plants for Georgia Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines,” Native Plants for Georgia Part II: Ferns and Native Plants for Georgia Part III: Wildflowers

• Georgia Green Landscape Stewards Program - https://site.extension.uga. edu/georgiagreen/

About the author

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Pam Rentz. Pam lives in Roswell and has been a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2010. Along with a background in marketing communications for tech companies, she has a longtime passion for plants and our planet.

PAM RENTZ/PROVIDED

Ivy scaling a tree

PAM RENTZ Guest Columnist

PRESERVING THE PAST

Gone but not forgotten – bobwhite quail are part of our history

Folks who grew up in the rural areas of North Fulton County and surrounding counties in the 1960s and ’70s will remember the distinctive call of the bobwhite quail. That delightful and unmistakable early morning and evening “bob white” whistle-like call was the way country folks started the day. Those quail were part of our history. Their sounds are not heard today. So, where have all the bobwhites gone? Will they come back? Let’s take a look.

There are six species of quail in the U.S. Bobwhite quail are found in nearly 40 states but are native to the southeastern states. They were particularly plentiful in Georgia which for 100 years was known as the “Quail capital of the world.”

Like most quail, northern bobwhite quail live on the ground, preferring native grasslands where they can feed on seeds and insects. The birds can only fly a few hundred feet at a time due to their short wings, so for protection they rely on concealment in tall grass and thickets that are bushy above but open near the ground. Their cheerful bob white whistle is a mating call and is heard mostly in the spring and summer when birds pair up. In the fall, they gather into small groups called coveys to prepare for the winter. Males have a prominent white stripe above the eye, while hens have buff colored head stripes.

Hunters love to hunt quail because they burst from concealment when startled making challenging targets. They are tasty when cooked properly, kind of a cross between a chicken and a pheasant.

Numerous factors played a role in the 85 to 90 percent decline in the bobwhite population in Georgia over the past century and especially since the 1960s. Dramatic population growth and subsequent urbanization reduced the birds’ natural habitat of native grasslands, so they produced fewer chicks. (Georgia’s population in 1960 was less than 4 million people, and in 2022 it was almost 11 million.) Consolidation of small farms with hedgerows between properties into large pastures offered less protection to bobwhites and made them more vulnerable to predators. Finally, increased use of pesticides and herbicides reduced the insect

In the fall after the mating season is over, northern bobwhite quail establish coveys, groups of 10-15 birds. At night they roost on the ground in a tight circle with tails pointed inward and heads pointed out. This provides warmth and helps them spot predators. Their favorite foods are insects, weed seeds and berries. They whistle mainly early in the morning during mating season and again in late October/November when living in coveys.

population and some of the natural grasses the birds rely on.

Barry Mansell was raised on a farm in Roswell and remembers several coveys of bobwhites on the family farm property in the early 1950s. “They were beautiful birds and their mating calls were unforgettable. My brothers and I hunted them for sport and food.”

The situation is not hopeless Bobwhites have occupied a special place in the history of Georgia wildlife

since the development of the modern shotgun in the 1800s. Today both public and private programs seek to restore the bobwhite population over time. In 1970 the Legislature named the bird the official state gamebird of Georgia. Georgia’s bobwhite quail Initiative begun in 1999 by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and a number of federal programs promote habitat restoration for bobwhites and other wildlife on farms and forestland.

Private bobwhite hunting

plantations, many managed for commercial quail hunting, are contributing to the recovery of the bobwhite. A narrow ribbon of land extending from Albany to the Florida border is home to some 100 private plantations including some that are open to the public for hunting. The land known as Plantation Belt comprises some 400,000 acres. After the Civil War, the South was in ruins, and the plantations were purchased by wealthy northerners for vacation retreats. Many are still owned by descendants of the original buyers. These facilities have significantly increased the population of bobwhites through modern land conservation practices and offer perfect conditions for bobwhite quail.

Georgia Wildlife Federation President and CEO Mike Worley says, “The bobwhite is not in danger of going extinct due to the breeding of quail in pens on hunting plantations. But due to habitat loss reversing the situation for wild bobwhites is a major challenge. We are working hard to reverse the trend, and with all our challenges, Georgia still has some of the finest quail hunting in the country.”

The difference between bobwhites raised in pens for hunting and wild birds is that pen-raised birds have lost some of their instincts according to Dallas Ingram, Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Quail Coordinator “Pen-raised birds are not taught by wild parents how to hunt, raise a brood and avoid predators. Even if they survive predators and know where to eat, they don’t seem to be able to survive. The one-year survival rate is about ½ of 1 percent.”

Dallas says “Wild bobwhites need 1,500 acres to survive long term. North of Fulton County, some landowners are working together to create larger tracts which is conducive to a healthy and growing bobwhite population.”

So, if you crave to hear that bob white sound there are places in Georgia where that is possible. However, in our area, history is not on our side. The bobwhite quail, once such a happy addition to life in north Georgia, is gone but not forgotten. Hopefully, the many efforts to bring them back will be successful in the long term.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

PHOTOS BY U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE /PROVIDED

The northern bobwhite quail is Georgia’s officials state game bird. Its numbers have dramatically declined in recent decades. Many organizations and individuals are working to reestablish the bird through habitat rehabilitation.

BOB MEYERS Columnist

INVITATION TO BID CITY OF JOHNS CREEK

ITB #23-243

STATE ROUTE 141 / MEDLOCK BRIDGE ROAD AT SKYWAY DRIVE / ABBOTTS BRIDGE ROAD / BELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The City of Johns Creek extends an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to GDOT-prequalified construction firms for the State Route 141 / Medlock Bridge Road at Skyway Drive and Abbotts Bridge Road / Bell Road Intersection Improvement project. ITB’s will be received electronically via the City’s bid platform, BidNet no later than 2:00 PM on August 31, 2023. A recommended virtual Prebid teleconference will take place August 7, 2023, 1:00 PM via Zoom. Questions are accepted and answered online only via BidNet. Deadline for questions is August 24, 2023 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.

Full-time

Kane Warehousing, LLC seeks an Information Technology Manager.

6470 East Johns Crossing, Johns Creek, GA, 30097.

Part-time

Roofing

ROOF LEAKING?

Workforce Development Coordinator is responsible for developing programs and services for NFCC clients and students seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The workforce development coordinator collaborates with local employers to help match job seekers to open positions. They work directly with clients on the job application, resumes, and interview preparations and provide tips for successfully securing and improving employment to foster financial stability.  Bachelor’s degree in a human services, human resources, or other related field required and 2 years of professional experience in human services, human resources or career counseling preferred.

To view the entire listing visit https://nfcchelp.org/ work-at-nfcc/. To apply, please submit resume to Carol Swan at cswan@nfcchelp.org.

Optum Services, Inc. Sr. Systems Administrator. Alpharetta, GA.

Responsible for maintaining integrity and security of servers and systems that support various company operation units. Can work remotely. Mail resume to GMI Recruitment at 9900 Bren Road East MN008 R120, Minnetonka, MN 55343 and indicate applying for #23-GA-5902.

Plan, direct, or coord activities in electronic data processing, info sys, sys anlss, & computer prgmng as it relates to our IT Projs. Direct daily ops of IT department under his supervision, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, dvlpng standards & setting deadlines. Meet w/ department heads, mgrs, supervisors, vendors, & others, to solicit cooperation & resolve prblms. Review IT proj plans to plan & coord proj activity. Assign & review the work of Analyst, WMS, Sr Specialist, WMS & other computer-related professionals. Work w/ SHELL SCRIPTING, UNIX, JAVA, C, HP ALM, ASP.NET, C#, VB.NET, MICROSOFT SQL Server, HTML, XML, Client Scripting, WEBSERVICES/ API & SSIS packages. Also utilize & apply knowl of ERP & CRM Sys. Oversee the dsgn of enhancements for new & existing customers, incl spcfc projs, & deploying ITrelated sply chain solutions from other vendors into a customer’s supply-chain envrmnt. Also respsbl for mngng day-to-day ops of the WMS IT Configuration & Spprt Team. This role also coords the configuring & tstng of Manhattan Associates Scale WMS for new client implementations & legacy Web-based Mgmt Sys conversions. Furthermore, the responsibilities also encompass meeting w/ external clients & internal departments & coordinating the conversion of biz reqs into functional IT projects-related process documentation, as well as designing, mngng, & coordinating tstng activities of WMS enhancements that are dvlpd by s/w vendor or internal dvlpmt team.

Reqs: Bachelor’s in IT, or Mgmt Info Sys, CS, Mech Engg or closely rltd & 60 mnths exp. in job offered or as Info Sys Director, IT Director, MIS Director, Proj Mgr, WMOS Techno Functional Consultant, Tech Mgr, Tech Analyst or closely rltd. Pls resend resume, along w/ cover letter to: Kim Mallonn, Vice President, Org Dvlpmt , 3 Stauffer Industrial Park, Scranton, PA 18504

Donor Operations Associate

The Donor Operations Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and sorts merchandise in a designated area.  They are responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris and the donor door area neat and clean.  This position is the face of NFCC so they are expected to provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor.  High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Ability to perform low to moderate facility maintenance tasks.  To view entire listing visit: https://nfcchelp.org/work-atnfcc/  To apply, please complete an application for employment and email to Marten Jallad,  mjallad@nfcchelp.org.

Flooring

PHILLIPS FLOORING Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Regrouting is also available. Call 678-887-1868 for free estimate.

Tree Services

Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123. Christian Brothers Roofing

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs.  A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $4,500.

Home Improvement

DECKS BUILT & REPAIRED-DRYBELOW SYSTEMS INSTALLED – Affordable hardwood flooring-engineered flooring. Heritage Home Maintenance, 678-906-7100 HOMEREPAIRGA@GMAIL.COM, (HERITAGECONSTRUCTIONGA.COM)

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

Pinestraw

PINESTRAW, MULCH

Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

Bargains/Antiques

ANTIQUE TABLE, large. No scratches, looks new. $75/OBO. 678-663-5953, 253-293-6508.