October 3, 2024 | AppenMedia.com
Johns Creek escapes brunt of deadly storm that swept over state
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — While the full extent of costs and damage from the storm has yet to be determined statewide, north metro residents began returning to their normal lives over the weekend.
Johns Creek came out the other side of Hurricane Helene unscathed, for the most part.
Communications Director Bob Mullen told Appen Media the storm resulted in only a couple of downed trees and a few light signals that went dark, but all was well by the afternoon Sept. 27.
He said Johns Creek, the city’s namesake waterway, filled up but did not get within a foot of either of the bridges that stretch over Abbotts Bridge and Old Alabama roads.
“We were so fortunate that we didn’t get hit as hard as neighboring communities did, and we’re pleased with the response and the attentiveness of our folks who were out there,” Mullen said. “I know it’s cliche, but I feel like we dodged a bullet.”
The city prepared for the worst, nonetheless, creating its makeshift Emergency Operations Center on the third floor of City Hall in its Traffic Management Center. Communications Lieutenant Lt. Deb Coble posted a selfie on X Sept. 27, adding that it was a “quiet night” as officials monitored Hurricane Helene.
Mullen said the EOC uses foldable walls to make for a larger area, so that everyone has a view of what’s happening.
“There’s even a protocol that [Fire] Chief [Chris] Coons and his team goes through to work with PD and to work with Public Works and the various departments on making sure everything is smooth when the EOC is open,” Mullen said.
Registered to vote?
Check your status, update your address or find your polling location on the Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” at https://mvp.sos. ga.gov/s. The webpage also provides the option to register. For the Nov. 5 general election, the deadline to register is Oct. 7
See story, PAGE 5
Club, about their careers as Southern writers Sept. 29 at the second annual Johns Creek Literary Fair.
Authors, booklovers assemble for Pulitzer Prize-winner’s talk
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The second annual Johns Creek Literary Fair Sept. 29 drew a couple hundred people to peruse books from local authors and hear from one of the South’s best.
Just a couple days after Hurricane Helene rushed through Johns Creek, residents gathered at the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park for a day dedicated to books.
Local authors set up their book stands around the amphitheater as kids played lacrosse
on the turf field next door.
It was an early fall afternoon in North Fulton County, an ideal setting for authors to discuss how they do what they do.
Up on the hill abutting the venue, children’s authors displayed books about everything from the lost journal of Nikola Tesla to the challenges faced by American minorities.
With most in attendance over retirement age, the Literary Fair still featured Johns Creek’s diversity, with people from all backgrounds
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Rick Bragg, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, speaks with George Weinstein, an award-winning author and executive director of the Atlanta Writers
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Police arrest suspect for stealing Legos
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 20-year-old Norcross man Sept. 18 for stealing more than $300 in Legos at Target on State Bridge Road.
The thefts occurred throughout the summer, on three separate occasions. The suspect used his mom’s car for each incident, according to the police reports.
Police reviewed surveillance footage showing the suspect scanning cheaper items in place of the Legos, and walking out with the Legos, the reports say.
Police took out three warrants for theft by shoplifting.
After the suspect turned himself in, he was transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.
Police cite SUV drivers for racing on street
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police cited two drivers, a 50-year-old Roswell man and a 66-year-old Johns Creek man, for racing on Jones Bridge Road Sept. 16.
Police said they saw the drivers traveling at what appeared to be the posted speed limit and coming to a stop at a red light on Jones Bridge Road, northbound.
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traveling at 80 mph in a posted 45-mph speed zone, not gaining on them until accelerating to 85 mph.
Police conducted a traffic stop on the Roswell driver first. The man told police the other SUV had been following him closely on Jones Bridge Road, and that he, himself, acted like an “idiot.”
Police cited him with reckless driving, racing and speeding.
After running the tag of the Johns Creek driver, police made a call to him, and they agreed to meet at the man’s home. He told police the other driver had been tailgating him on Jones Bridge, northbound from Waters Road, driving so closely that he triggered the Tonale’s rear alert sensors several times.
Police also cited him with reckless driving, racing and speeding.
Man scammed for $3,000 in online extortion plot
MILTON, Ga. — An Alpharetta man reported to police Sept. 17 that an “estranged friend” reached out to him about a Facebook post with false information.
An elaborate scam ensued, costing him $3,000. The man was at his job in Milton when he received some of the scam messages.
He said he was told that the posts said he was a criminal, a terrorist and a rapist, that they alerted U.S. authorities to be aware of him and that he needed to contact an officer in the Dominican Republic to assist him in removing the posts, according to the incident report.
investigate, the report says. The fake officer then informed him the suspects were arrested and sent him two pictures, showing two male suspects in the hospital, the female suspect, and a firearm.
The fake officer advised the man to contact an attorney to prosecute the suspects and an IT personnel, who required a $1,000 fee, to remove the posts, the report says.
The fake officer also told the man he would get a restitution of $80,000 but needed to pay a $3,000 processing fee. The man then sent a $1,000 installment.
After being pressured to pay the remaining “due,” the man spoke with his coworkers who told him he was being scammed.
He told local police he was willing to press charges if the suspects were identified, and he would contact Facebook to remove the posts falsely attributed to him. He also told police he searched for the false posts but could find none.
Man reports parcel theft from home front porch
MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man reported to police Sept. 20 that two iPhones, valued at $2,800, were stolen from his front porch off Lake Mist Cove.
The man told police the phones were delivered earlier that day at around noon.
When the light turned green, though, police said both SUVs accelerated quickly and continued to accelerate, driving side-by-side as they sped, appearing as if they were trying to outrun each other, according to the incident report.
The Roswell man had been driving a BMW iX, and the Johns Creek man, an Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Police estimated the SUVs were
While speaking with the purported Dominican “officer,” the man said he began receiving threats on Facebook Messenger from three people, two men and a woman, asking for money to remove the posts, according to the report. He said the Dominican officer told him to follow the suspect’s instructions so they could be tracked.
After sending $1,000 to a woman, the phony officer told the man the money was going to the Dominican Republic and that he would
Surveillance footage showed a Black male wearing all black and a blue Amazon vest walking up to the front porch, grabbing both packages and leaving, about a half an hour after the phone delivery, according to the incident report.
Another video showed the suspect vehicle, a gray Hyundai Elantra, enter the neighborhood at around the same time.
But, when police ran the tag, it returned to a White female out of Lawrenceville. The vehicle owner did not match the description of the suspect, the report says.
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Alpharetta man offers inspiration through web series about epilepsy
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Guests on Tim Ulmer’s web series come from around the globe.
And, they have something in common — finding happiness and success amid epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder that more than 50 million people in the world have.
The theme of Ulmer’s show might seem like a gag. But, really, it’s a means for Ulmer to make light of and adapt to his condition.
Called “Epilepsy Gangster,” each episode features Ulmer, wearing a fedora and black suit, with his voice changing into a style right out of “The Godfather.”
“I have what’s called a vagus nerve stimulator that helps control seizures,” said Ulmer, wearing average day clothes. “Every five minutes, this device releases an electric charge for 30 seconds, and it’s kind of like a pacemaker for the brain.”
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The vagus nerve controls the voice box.
“I figure I got to make it part of my brand,” he said.
Ulmer isn’t a “rookie,” one who has had the diagnosis less than two years, but he interacts with them as a support group facilitator for more than 30 years.
At 2 years old, he was diagnosed with epilepsy, having seizures about every three weeks on average.
There are 40 different types of seizures. Ulmer’s is the kind that makes him appear drunk, rather than the most well-known, tonicclonic or grand mal seizures. Only around 25 percent of people have tonic-clonic seizures.
“My first memory was rolling down a hard, wooden staircase at home when I was 2,” Ulmer said. “It was just a concussion. Epilepsy can
More Information
For more information about “Epilepsy Gangster” or to watch episodes, visit https://epilepsygangster.com.
happen to anybody, anytime.”
Guiding ‘rookies’
When he moved from central Illinois to Metro Atlanta in 2008, Ulmer said there were no epilepsy support groups around, so he started one himself in Alpharetta. Now, it’s virtual, with about 30 attendees on average in monthly meetings.
“There’s so many rookies who just think, ‘Well, I can’t drive now. I’ve lost my job. My life is terrible. I’m stuck here at home,’” Ulmer said.
Growing up, he delighted in
TIM ULMER/PROVIDED Tim Ulmer
Voter registration deadline for general election is Oct. 7
By ZOE SEILER, AMBER PERRY and JON WILCOX newsroom@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — The deadline to register to vote for the upcoming general election is Oct. 7. Election Day is Nov. 5.
To register to vote, an individual must be at least 17.5 years old to register and 18 years old to vote. They must be a United States citizen, a legal resident of the county in which they wish to vote, not be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony, and not be found mentally incompetent by a judge, according to the Georgia Secretary of State website.
5K RUN & WALK
All proceeds benefit Murphy- Harpst
Voters can check their registration status and Election Day voting precinct on the state’s My Voter Page by visiting mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Early voting runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. The early voting locations and times vary by county.
Statewide, the president and vice presidential races will be on the ballot. All U.S. House and state legislators are up for election as well, and the My Voter Page will show voters who their representatives are.
5 2019
People were able to apply for absentee ballots and register to vote during a voter registration rally and vaccination clinic hosted by DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Office in greater Decatur on Friday, April 1, 2022.
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches!
How to register
Please give generously today and be a part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable children.
There are a few ways to register to vote.
www.murphyharpst.org
• If you have a Georgia Driver’s License or State ID Card, you can register online by visiting https://mvp. sos.ga.gov/s/olvr-home.
• You can choose to register when you renew or apply for your driver’s license at the Department of Driver Services.
• www.active.com
• If you are registered, but need to change your address within the county, you can fill out the back of your precinct card or update your information on the My Voter Page.
• You can download a voter registration form from the Secretary of State’s website and mail it to the Secretary of State's Office at PO Box 105325, Atlanta, GA 30348.
12TH ANNUAL
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proceeds benefit Murphy- Harpst
• Applications can be also emailed or mailed to your county’s registrar’s office.
Voting absentee
• Search “Midway Mission Possible 12”
Absentee ballots are available for the
See VOTE, Page 16
All proceeds benefit Murphy-Harpst
Saturday Oct. 5 2019
All proceeds benefit Murphy- Harpst
Transforming the lives of homeless families. Because every child deserves a home.
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches! Please give generously today and be a part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches! Please give generously today and be a part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable children. www.murphyharpst.org
12
TO LEARN MORE: www.familypromise.org www.fpforsyth.org
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7:00 am
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches! Please give generously today and bea part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable children.
SATURDAY NOV. 2 2024
Registration and bib pick up 8:30 am 5K Run/Walk begins
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Nonprofit holds drives for this holiday season
ROSWELL, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities is asking for food and clothing donations for the communities they serve as the holiday season approaches.
The nonprofit, whose mission is to ease hardship and foster financial stability, serves residents of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell. It helps thousands of North Fulton residents each year across its two Roswell facilities.
North Fulton Community Charities will have several holiday drives, the first being “CoatsGiving,” a combination of its coat and Thanksgiving food drives. With support from the community, the drive provided food for 520 families as well as 1,600 coats and 3,200 winter accessories in 2023.
This year, the organization is asking for new or gently used winter coats for babies, children, teens and adults in all sizes as well as winter accessories, like hats, gloves, scarves and new socks, also in all sizes.
For CoatsGiving, the nonprofit is requesting $25 grocery store gift cards, whole turkey or chicken, holiday ham and family-size lasagna as well as nonperishable food items.
hearty varieties.
North Fulton Community Charities is also requesting festive holiday senior baskets, filled with nonperishable, seasonal food, like soups, as well as a few nice holiday extras and a $25 grocery gift card for seniors who are either on a fixed income or have mobility issues.
The organization’s holiday gift shop Toyland needs new, unwrapped toys for all ages, with a special focus on toys for teens. Popular toys, books, games, stuffed animals and wrapping supplies are welcome, in addition to $25 gift cards to places that kids and teens like to shop, such as Best Buy, Target, Sephora, Walmart and Amazon.
Amazon wish lists are available on each of the drive webpages, found at nfcchelp.org.
Financial contributions for these drives are also always welcome, so that the nonprofit can fill in any gaps where necessary.
The nonprofit’s food panty is need of items as well, including macaroni and cheese; soup; canned vegetables, except for green beans; cereal; canned meat, such as tuna and chicken; and 1-pound bags of rice.
Nonperishables include a variety of canned fruit and vegetables; canned sweet potatoes and yams; dry potatoes; dry beans; gravy; cranberries; stuffing; rice; macaroni and cheese; dessert mixes, such as cake, brownie, pie and bread; snacks, a mix of savory and healthy; and canned soup, cream and
Most of the families that shop at the food pantry also shop for free clothing at the NFCC Thrift Shop, which is need of new children’s socks, underwear and pajamas for all ages; new adult underwear, socks and bras; gently worn men’s casual shirts; and gently worn items for teens.
— Amber Perry
Beverage and events caterer navigates pandemic changes
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — There is a community gathering at Oak Street Bottle Shop once a week — Five Dollar Fridays — that harkens back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top Job Beverage & Events owns the warehouse at 75A Oak Street, where coowners Scott Harb and Michael Fabian set up shop in downtown Historic Roswell
Oak Street Bottle Shop is an unsuspecting place where friends and families gather to reconnect with people who they spent time with while the world was sheltering in place.
Harb said hosting the public outside of the bottle shop every day during summer 2020 kept his businesses afloat and surprised him in some ways.
In 2018, the company acquired the roughly 2,000-square-foot industrial facility to support the company’s main source of income, catering for festivals and concerts.
Top Job began catering small events in 2012 as partners of a local Roswell restaurant.
Co-owner Scott Harb said with the growth of the catering business, him and his business partner decided to purchase the building and get their own alcohol license through the city of Roswell.
The specific license is for craft beer and wine market, which allows the warehouse on Oak Street to double as a tap room and caterer.
Regulations surrounding alcohol licenses in Roswell mandate that employees work at the facility for at least 20 hours a week. Before the
pandemic, the co-owners said they spent some time at the facility just to maintain the alcohol license.
Harb and Fabian also own a staffing agency, Top Job Hospitality, which is in downtown Historic Roswell off Park Square Court.
“I have a whole other day job, so I’d just come up here and do work, most of that was catering and a bit of staffing,” Harb said. “Then COVID comes … all of our events were canceled.”
More than 300 concerts, festivals and private events across Metro Atlanta were canceled, and with it, the company’s main source of revenue.
Top Job Beverage & Events partners with city governments, local organizations and individuals to cater alcohol at community gatherings. The partnerships share revenue generated at events with organizers and the business, which works well when there’s not a pandemic.
“Everything was shut down and we didn’t have anything to do,” Harb said. “My wife said, ‘Scott, you’ve got an alcohol license and beer, why don’t you just open up the garage door?’”
Shortly after, the front of the warehouse turned into a package store, with the business partners opening a tap room in the back after things got going.
“That was the start of Oak Street Bottle Shop as you see it today,” Harb said.
Fridays are big
The shop operates differently now, given the end of pandemic-era restrictions. For one, it’s usually only
See SHOP, Page 9
OAK STREET BOTTLE SHOP/PROVIDED
Scott Harb, co-owner of Oak Street Bottle Shop, promotes a community gathering with live music, friends and drinks — Five Dollar Fridays. Harb said his business made it through the pandemic by hosting Roswell residents outside of its warehouse in the historic district of downtown Roswell.
BUSINESSPOSTS
Shop:
Continued from Page 8
open on Fridays, not every day of the week.
While the hospitality and catering businesses have rebounded since 2020, Top Job is busy elsewhere, too. It still rents out the facility for private events and always has a party for Five Dollar Fridays.
Harb said the facility is usually rented for high school and college graduations, corporate team-building events and the occasional birthday.
Because the alcohol industry has good margins, Top Job’s Five Dollar Fridays allows the co-owners to get the “pandemic community” together once a week.
“That’s my baby, we’re only here one day a week,” Harb said. “During the pandemic, it was every day.”
Five Dollar Fridays are still rocking at 75A Oak Street. Most of the crowd, which continues to show up, met one another and became friends at the bottle shop during the pandemic.
“We did a cookout in May 2020 and about 30 people showed up,” Harb said. “There’s been as many as 300 people here, and we’re getting bigger bands.”
Scheduled fall bands include Corporate Therapy Oct. 4, M80 Rocks Oct. 11, Zachery Mannino Band Oct. 18, Justin Oct. 25, Nostalgia ’80s Experience Oct. 26, 40HZ Nov. 1, and Bear Bones Band Nov. 8.
It’s a community now, and people keep showing up to hang out with the friends they met four years ago.
Local craft beers
Oak Street prides itself on its selection of local craft beers, including Six Bridges Light Lager from Johns Creek, Social Fox’s Wrecker from Norcross, TKR Pilsener from Tucker and Variant Canton Street IPA from down the road.
The bottle shop has craft beers from every nook and cranny of America, with
OAK STREET BOTTLE SHOP/PROVIDED Patrons at Oak Street Bottle Shop enjoy the sunset during Five Dollar Friday. Co-owner Scott Harb says the venue is usually only open to the public on Friday evenings, but the company’s event catering runs year-round.
a shelf set aside for Georgia-brewed beer and all the name brand favorites.
It also sports an extensive selection of red, white and sparkling wines.
In summer 2023, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson served as a celebrity bartender during the bottle shop’s support of North Fulton Community Charities fundraising at Alive in Roswell.
Seemingly out of circumstance, Oak Street Bottle Shop has cemented itself in the downtown Historic Roswell community and beyond.
“There’s all these moments where things change,” Harb said. “The people you’re around during that time, those people are who you build new relationships with.”
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We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.
Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.
For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”
Making outdoor improvements pay off when selling your home
Allison Kloster, Associate Broker, Home Real Estate
As the embrace of Autumn envelops us, it is a great time to think about which outdoor improvements to your yard should pay you back the most when you go to sell your home. According to NAR (National Association of Realtors) there are 5 projects that have proven to be the best return of investment dollars, also known as ROI.
When your Realtor first comes to your property to discuss marketing your home, they should evaluate the neighborhood, the street, and yes, even your driveway. The essence of arrival is critical to helping any potential buyer see and feel that this home is special. As a seller, you want to have the buyer set your home apart from others as soon as possible when viewing your home.
Having a regularly maintained yard that is nicely landscaped and groomed is a strong start. Your landscaping is the first picture that online sites will use to show the world your property.
The following percentages are what Realtors are being given from NAR as tools to help guide you on where best to spend your money when getting your home ready to sell. As a seller, it is imperative that you present your home in the best possible light (even in a seller’s market).
Routine lawn care service is the highest ROI for a homeowner at 217% of value recovered when you sell your home. Surely, a green and weed-free lawn is a huge draw to the buyer’s eye.
It most definitely shows well in professional photography and videos.
Landscape maintenance like adding mulch, pruning your shrubs and planting perennials or annuals comes in at 104% ROI of value recovered when you sell your home.
Outdoor kitchens are very much a growing trend. In our market, we see them frequently. They do vary in complexity and features. We see outdoor kitchens with various grills, refrigerators, and even Kegerators. According to NAR, if you have an inset grill, stainless steel drawers, ice chest sink and concrete countertops with veneered masonry stone, you can expect 100% ROI value recovered when you sell your home.
Overall landscape upgrades like Installing a front walkway of possibly natural flagstone; adding a few stone planters, planting flowering shrubs and
installing mature trees would also yield you 100% ROI value when you sell your home.
Installing an outdoor patio is a great investment as well. Not only will you enjoy some time outside around a firepit or just sitting and reading a book, but an outdoor patio has a 95% ROI value when you sell your home.
As you can see, spending money outside is a wise investment and will make sure that your home garners the attention it deserves when it comes time to sell it and move on to your next adventure.
Investing in your home is one of the hardest and most important decisions you will make for your family. You don’t have to do it alone! Call or email Allison at 404-784-5287 or email allison@homegeorgia.com and get a response within 24 hours.
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KLOSTER
LAKE LANIER
Last chance to embrace luxury living at Hillandale in Roswell
Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division
Now is your last chance to secure a new luxury home in Hillandale, a charming Charleston-inspired neighborhood just minutes from Historic Roswell. With only three homes remaining, these are the final opportunities to live in this popular community.
Currently under-construction, the final homes, priced from $1.1 million, are slated for completion in December/ January just in time for you to start the new year in a new home. Hillandale’s elegant designs features and sophisticated layouts are thoughtfully curated to provide ample indoor and outdoor
entertaining spaces. Among the luxury features, you’ll find spacious primary suites, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and rich hardwood floors throughout the main level. Each home is also equipped with high-end stainless-steel appliances, ensuring both style and functionality. Beyond the remarkable interiors, Hillandale boasts an array of additional features that enhance the living experience. Homes come with irrigation systems, tankless water heaters, and freestanding tubs, along with charming gas lanterns adorning front patios. The community's pebbled driveways and sidewalks add to its overall appeal, while the HOA provides front and rear lawn maintenance, allowing residents to enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Hillandale’s location is key and offers unparalleled convenience. Homeowners can easily access a variety of local dining and shopping options. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby Chattahoochee River and its pristine parks, which offer an abundance of recreational activities, from kayaking to biking and walking trails. The Chattahoochee River Nature Preserve, just a short drive away, hosts summer music series and various outdoor events. Roswell is in the top 100 livable cities in the U.S. and ranks among the top 4 safest places to live in the metro Atlanta area. Families will also benefit from being part of Roswell's highly acclaimed school system, making Hillandale an ideal choice for any lifestyle.
Founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, Patrick Malloy Communities brings a wealth of experience and excellence to Metro Atlanta, having developed over 11,000 homesites and sold more than 7,000 homes. The company has received numerous accolades, consistently ranking on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder list and winning several Community of the Year awards. If you’re interested in learning more about the final homes available at Hillandale, visit www.PMCommunities. com or call 770-254-5372 to schedule a personal appointment. Patrick Malloy Communities is proudly represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. An Equal Housing Opportunity.
Five reasons to use living fences for curb appeal
Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
Sometimes called a ‘hedgerow’, a living fence is a compact line of greenery acting as a natural screen. Incorporating plants and natural materials to create beautiful, durable boundary lines offers an appealing alternative to traditional fencing, with benefits that go beyond aesthetics. Let’s explore a few compelling reasons why this is a smart choice for homeowners.
1. They are budget-friendly.
A living fence offers a long-lasting solution without the high upfront costs of materials like wood, vinyl or metal. While the initial planting may require some investment, the long-term savings are significant. Unlike conventional fences, which can deteriorate and require costly repairs or replacements, living fences grow stronger and more resilient over time with mini-mal maintenance.
2. They are nature’s sustainable barrier.
A living fence relies on natural, renewable resources rather than manufactured materials that require energy-intensive production processes and contribute to waste. It grows organically, improving air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, and it conserves resources by reducing the need for synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, all while regenerating naturally.
3. They are elegant and ever-changing. Living fences introduce natural beauty
into a landscape, creating a soft, lush backdrop—a look that can be tailored to match your personal style, whether it be flowering bushes or ev-ergreen trees. As they grow and evolve with the seasons, living fences provide dynamic views that add depth and character to your yard.
4. They are a natural wind and sound barrier.
Traditional fences may only partially block noise, whereas living ones create a more compre-hensive shield through their organic composition. The thick layer of leaves and branches acts as a buffer, reducing the impact of the elements and external sounds such as traffic, construction or neighborhood activity.
5. They create a more resilient landscape.
Finally, a living fence plays a crucial role in strengthening the soil by anchoring and stabiliz-ing it with its extensive root system. The roots of the plants grow deep and spread out, bind-ing the soil together and reducing erosion, especially on slopes or areas prone to runoff. This natural network also improves soil structure by preventing compaction and promoting better water infiltration. As a result, the soil remains fertile and less prone to degradation.
By choosing a living fence, you're not only investing in a beautiful and functional addition to your property but also supporting a greener, more resilient environment. If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s Interna-tional Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!
Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/Copyeditor
Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad
DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
Terry voted in the Georgia primary election at the Decatur Recreation Center on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Vote:
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Nov. 5 general election as well.
The last day to submit an application for an absentee ballot is Oct. 25. Absentee ballots must be returned to a ballot box by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the latest to a drop box or a county registrar’s office. Absentee ballots can be returned at any time before Nov. 5.
Voters are now required to provide either a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID card number or a copy of another form of ID when applying for an absentee ballot.
Other forms of acceptable identification are a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows a voter’s name and address.
Fulton County
Local Fulton County races on the ballot are the District Attorney, Fulton County Board of Commissioners District 2, 4 and 6 as well as several other uncontested county officials.
In Fulton County, advance voting will be held Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications, attached as a .pdf or .jpg, can be emailed to elections.absentee@ fultoncountyga.gov or mailed to Fulton County Registrations and Elections, 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road, Union City, GA 30213, in addition to being request online.
Visit fultoncountyga.gov/vote for more information about the early voting and absentee drop box locations, and to see the sample ballot.
Forsyth
County
Local Forsyth County races on
the ballot are Forsyth Board of Commissioners Districts 2, 4 and 5 as well as Forsyth County Board of Education Districts 2, 3 and 4. Other uncontested county officials are also on the ballot.
In Forsyth County, early voting will be held Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 8 to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications can be emailed to absentee@forsythco.com. To submit absentee ballot applications by mail or by personal delivery, send them to Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections, 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040.
Applications may also be faxed to 770-886-2825, or requested online.
Forsyth County has one drop box location at the Voter Registrations & Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 15-18, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19-20, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 28-Nov. 1.
Visit forsythco.com/vote for more information about the early voting locations and to see the sample ballot.
DeKalb County
Local DeKalb County races on the ballot are the DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer, DeKalb Board of Commissioners Districts 1 and 3-7, as well as several other uncontested county officials.
In DeKalb County, early voting will be held Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications can be emailed to absenteeballot@ dekalbcountyga.gov or mailed to DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections, 4380 Memorial Drive, suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032, in addition to being requested online.
Visit dekalbvotes.com for more information about the early voting and absentee drop box locations, and to see the sample ballot.
No will or trust!
Brought to you by – Estates Law Center USA
The Risks of Not Planning: Potential issues that can arise when someone dies intestate (without a will or trust) and how an estate plan can mitigate these risks.
Dying intestate without a will or trust can lead to a host of complications and risks for both the estate and the surviving family members. When someone passes away without leaving behind a will or trust , state intestacy laws take over, dictating how assets are distributed. This may not align with the deceased's wishes, potentially leaving family members and loved ones with outcomes they didn’t anticipate or desire. For instance, assets might be divided in a way that doesn’t reflect the deceased’s personal preferences, or they might end up with relatives the deceased had wished to exclude. This can also spark family disputes and legal battles, as there are no clear instructions to guide the process, resulting in prolonged probate proceedings and increased costs. Additionally, intestacy can complicate the appointment of guardians for
minor children, potentially leaving their care in the hands of individuals not preferred by the deceased. The lack of a will can also led to missed opportunities for minimizing estate taxes and managing financial affairs efficiently. Emotional stress on family members is another significant risk, as they navigate the uncertainties and disputes arising from the intestate process. An estate plan mitigates these risks by clearly outlining the distribution of assets, appointing trusted executors and guardians, and incorporating strategies for tax efficiency. By planning with expert advice, individuals ensure that their wishes are honored, reduce the potential for conflict, and ease the administrative burden and cost on their loved ones during the most difficult time.
Emilee
HOLLY GEERDES
FALL INTO SAVINGS THRU OCT
Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘proud kinship’ with the South
The visit of President Theodore Roosevelt to Roswell in 1905 was part of a tour through the South aimed at helping to heal the lingering wounds of the Civil War. The presidential party visited several states, but the visit to Roswell had a special meaning because it was to the house where his mother was raised.
Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (18581919) became the 26th President of the United States in September 1901 upon the assassination of William McKinley. One of Roosevelt’s many noteworthy achievements was setting aside some 230 million acres throughout the U.S. for national forests, parks and wildlife refuges.
His parents, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. (1831-1878) and Martha “Mittie” Bulloch Roosevelt (1835-1884) were a wealthy family in New York City.
After graduating from Harvard College, the future president married Alice Hathaway Lee (1861– 1884) In 1880. He was deeply in love. Alice was a charming, talented young woman, tall and athletic, skilled in tennis and archery, and she played piano. Both Alice and his mother Mittie died on Valentines Day in 1884. Mittie died at age 48 from typhoid fever, and Alice died at age 22 of kidney failure.
Theodore and Alice’s daughter Alice Lee Roosevelt was born on February 12, 1884, two days before her mother’s death. Theodore was so distraught at his lovely young wife’s demise that he hardly ever spoke of her again, not even with his daughter. Two years later, in 1886, Teddy married his teen years sweetheart Edith Kermit Carow (1861-1948) who served as First Lady from 1901 to 1909. Theodore was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897. He resigned from that position to help establish and lead the Rough Riders, a military unit that fought the Spanish army in Cuba. The unit was widely covered by the press, and Roosevelt returned to the U.S. a war hero. He was elected governor of New York in 1898. Two years later, he ran as William McKinley’s vice president.
Martha “Mittie” Bulloch Roosevelt Mittie was Theodore’s mother. Her parents, Georgia resident Maj. James Stephens Bulloch (1793–1849) and Martha “Patsy” Steward Bulloch (1799–1864), lived in Savannah. When Mittie
The president on the steps of his mother’s home, Bulloch Hall in Roswell, during his visit in 1905. In the front row are three long-time servants of the Bulloch family: Mammy Grace who was a nurse to Mittie as she grew up, Daddy Williams and Aunt Charlotte. The remainder includes the owner of the home at the time, Mr. J.B. Wing, his family, Miss Ward the postmistress, Senator Clay, the Rev. William Baker and others. The photo caption does not provide specific order of the people.
Bulloch Hall, built in 1839 in Roswell in the Greek Revival style, is the home where President Theodore Roosevelt’s mother was raised. The president visited the home for the first time in 1905. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
was 3, Major Bulloch moved his family to the village that was to become Roswell to be a partner in a new cotton mill with Roswell’s founder Roswell King. Bulloch built a beautiful mansion, completed in 1839, and called it Bulloch Hall. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is today a favorite place for history lovers to visit. Mittie was raised in the house. She married Theodore Roosevelt Sr. on Dec. 22,1853 in the formal dining room of the home. It was a gala affair.
The City of Roswell owns Bulloch Hall, thanks to a successful bond referendum and a grant from the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The city established a citizens committee, The Roswell Historic Preservation Commission, in 1978 to oversee the local historic district and to approve projects proposed in the district.
The non-profit Friends of Bulloch Hall was established 40 years ago for the preservation and restoration of Bulloch Hall. Its president, Bob Hagan, says that the annual Magnolia Ball, raises funds to pay for projects. Last year’s projects included restoration of the original front and back doors, bringing Mittie’s garden back to life and trimming historic trees
Martha “Mittie” Bulloch Roosevelt, shown here at age 20, was President Teddy Roosevelt’s mother. She was raised in Roswell in Bulloch Hall which has been well preserved thanks to the local city government and many volunteers. It is well worth a visit.
on the grounds, including some rare osage trees which early settlers planted as a dense hedge.
A highlight of the house is Mittie’s bedroom. According to Elaine DeNiro, archivist for the Roswell Historical Society and the City of Roswell, the Historical Society furnished Mittie’s bedroom with period pieces and is its caregiver.
President visits Roswell home
President Roosevelt visited Bulloch Hall on Oct. 20, 1905, while on a postCivil War good will tour of the South. In his remarks, the president emphasized his Southern links. He said “…my blood is half Southern and half Northern… the brothers and sisters of my mother who were born and brought up in that house on the hill there, my two uncles afterward entered the Confederate service and served with the Confederate Navy….I have the ancestral right to claim a proud kinship with those who showed their devotion to duty as they saw the duty, whether they wore the grey or whether they wore the blue.”
After visiting Roswell, the president went to Atlanta where he was told, according to the Christian Herald, a weekly New York publication, “We consider you a Georgian by birth, Mr. President. You are one of us and we love you because of your honesty and your courage to do what you think is right.”
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.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Fall vegetable gardening is fun and rewarding
A lot of people think that the end of the summer means the end of their vegetable gardening for the year. But there are many vegetables that grow best in the fall weather and can be enjoyed all winter long. Try growing a second crop of cool season vegetables in your garden and pots. I like fall gardening because the temperatures are mild, diseases can be low if it’s dry, and insects can be less troublesome once the temperature drops.
Every year I get asked the same questions about fall gardening:
• What is the date of the first and last frost?
• What is our hardiness zone?
• How do I prepare my garden for fall planting?
• How do I maintain my garden in the fall?
• How do I control pests and diseases?
• How do I extend my growing season?
• What are the end-of-season tasks?
• What are some specific cool season vegetables?
In order to calculate the planting date, the average first frost date in North Fulton officially is Nov. 15, but that is the average. It may be earlier or later. All of Georgia is within hardiness zones 7-8.
To prepare your garden for planting, clear debris from summer planting. For existing beds add 1 inch of organic matter. For new beds add 2-4 inches. Remove rocks and sticks for growing root crops. Get a soil test for analysis of your soil and fertilize according to the recommendations. Some plants need more fertilizer than others, so refer to the info labels on the plants. Applying mulch at planting time helps conserve moisture, prevent weeds and moderate soil temperature.
In order to maintain your garden, apply mulch 2-4 inches deep and keep the mulch away from the crown of plants to avoid rot and mildew. Pests are less prevalent in the fall, but physical, cultural and biological controls will minimize them. Remember, follow the instructions of pesticide labels. More is not better and may be very harmful.
At the end of the season, add organic matter and be sure to clear debris from the beds that can shelter pests. It is also a good time to clean and store garden tools.
Winter vegetables such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and spinach and an assortment of greens like arugula, lettuce and Swiss chard can be grown in the fall and winter. They can be grown in raised beds, containers or in the ground.
• Beets are a southern favorite. They are quick growing and need full sun. They also need good root drainage and soil high in potassium. They can tolerate cold and some frost. Don’t forget the tops of the beets. Beet greens are edible and nutritious too. Harvest when the bulb shows on top the size you want.
• Broccoli needs a sunny area with room to grow. Keep them evenly watered but avoid watering the heads, just the soil around them. Broccoli is also a heavy feeder and needs adequate, regular fertilization. Harvest when the heads of the buds are firm and tight.
• Cabbage is a cool-season crop that can be grown in both the fall and spring. It can be harvested when the cabbage head is nice and firm. They are heavy feeders and will need to be fertilized regularly.
• Cauliflower has similar care requirements as broccoli, so plant them in a sunny spot and water evenly. They grow well in cool weather but don’t like temperatures below 60 degrees, so use frost cloth to extend the growing season.
• Collards will withstand a wide range of temperatures. They are a very popular green in Georgia and exceed cabbage, turnip greens and spinach in fat and, protein and carbs. Some other cool-season greens include mustards and Swiss chard.
• Kale is a member of the cabbage family. It’s not only a superfood, but also a super plant tolerating cold and frost and grows well in gardens and in pots. Harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. Choose the smaller tender leaves for salads and the large for cooking.
• Lettuce is one of the most giving veggies you can plant since you can harvest the greens several times. Plant a blend of different types of lettuce for variety like romaine, butterhead and arugula. Because of its shallow root system, it is great to grow in shallow containers.
• Spinach is simple to grow. It prefers sun but is one of the few vegetables that can tolerate partial sun. It’s also tough in cold weather, even handling some frost. If you wait to harvest, the more bitter the leaves become. Pick the outer leaves giving the center ones time to grow.
Growing vegetables can be a year-round activity in the South. In addition to needing 6-8 hours of sun, be sure
About the author
This week's "Garden Buzz" features Sandy Springs resident Robin Pollack, an accomplished artist and Master Gardener. Active in the Atlanta art community since 1970, Robin has taught for over 30 years at Chastain Arts Center and has been a Master Gardener since 2005. As a member of North Fulton Master Gardeners, she has taught vegetable gardening at Farm Chastain and her own garden. Influenced by her artistic eye, her garden has been featured on tours including Atlanta Botanical Garden and Georgia Perennial Plant Association.
and add a layer of pine straw in winter to protect them. In case of a freeze, water veggies well and use a frost cloth for overnight protection. Growing your own vegetables is one of the most rewarding things to grow in the garden.
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. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia. com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
ROBIN POLLACK Guest Columnist
ROBIN POLLACK/PROVIDED
Robin’s fall garden
Remembering Burdett Grocery and Frank Burdett
Burdett Grocery store was first built and operated by Stephen Burdett around 1920. It was located at the crossroads of Mount Vernon Highway and Roswell Road. The community was known as Oak Grove at the time. The wood frame store was located on property that is now part of City Springs.
In 1924, Stephen Burdett’s nephew, John Franklin Burdett took over running the store. The following year, the name of the post office changed from Oak Grove to Burdal, a combination of two prominent family names, Burdett and Dalrymple. (Images of America: Sandy Springs, Kimberly M. Brigance and Morris V. Moore)
John Franklin Burdett was known as Frank Burdett. A write-up in the 1961 Sandy Springs Gazette tells his story and more history of the store. Burdett was honored at Sandy Springs Methodist Church that year in a “This is your life” presentation. (Sandy Springs Past Tense, Lois Coogle)
He was born in 1898 to Luther Lamar and Edna Carpenter Burdett and lived on a farm along Carpenter Drive. He attended Hammond School and North Fulton High School. In 1918, he was a student and a World
Ulmer:
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researching famous people who had epilepsy — Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Albert Einstein. Ulmer also mentioned Prince.
“I thought, if those people were able to do great things with epilepsy, so could I, and so my goal with starting the show is to give these rookies and people that have been in isolation for years with it — give them a hug,” Ulmer said.
But, he said he also wants to inspire.
“People learn by what they see, not what they read, and so I try to find good, solid people who haven’t let it stop them,” Ulmer said.
He’s featured entrepreneurs, a medical journalist in London, with an episode in the works about a man who started a clinic in Malawi. The
War I soldier training at Oglethorpe University.
In 1919, after serving five months in the military, he married Nannie Lou Nance, who he met at a Sandy Springs church gathering, also known as a “singing.” Frank and Nannie Lou celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1969 at their home in Sandy Springs. Three hundred guests were invited.
The wood frame Burdett’s Grocery had a porch across the front that was built at the same height as a wagon bed. This allowed feed bags to be pushed onto a customer’s wagon.
The few people who owned an automobile could use the manually operated gas tank in front of the store. In a time when homes were still lit with kerosene lamps and candles, there was also a kerosene tank.
During the years 1925 to 1929, the post office was in Burdett’s Grocery and Frank Burdett was the postmaster of Burdal. The grocery was the business center of the community.
third season of “Epilepsy Gangster” is set to premiere Oct. 5.
Jerry Kill, famous for taking underdogs and making them college football bowl champions, has also been featured on Ulmer’s web series. He most recently served as head coach at New Mexico State and is currently a consultant at Vanderbilt. He was head coach at Minnesota from 2011-2015.
“This man had his first seizure of his life in 2011 with 20 seconds to go on a bowl game that was being shown to half a million people on ESPN,” Ulmer said. “Half a million people around America saw him having a tonic-clonic seizure.”
Ulmer described people in his support group afraid to have a seizure in public. There’s a lot of shame, embarrassment, but plenty of situational difficulty, like in dating and not being able to drive.
At 29 months free of seizures, Ulmer is driving for the first time
He built a new brick store in 1939 and continued to run the store until the early 1960s when he retired. The Sandy Springs Gazette described Burdett as a “a quiet, unassuming, friendly man with an understanding and generous heart. To his grandchildren he is affectionately known as “Pappy.” Since his retirement in 1964, he has had more time for watching baseball and going fishing, his favorite sports.”
in 33 years, thanks to a new medication.
“I compare being unable to drive to early-release people who have to wear ankle bracelets under house arrest,” he said. “So, this has truly been getting the bracelet off my ankle.”
Finding purpose
Ulmer has a team to help him with “Epilepsy Gangster,” including his daughter, a freshman at Fulton Science Academy. She helped him create the website when she was 12 years old.
Some of the show’s editors are Cambridge High graduates, who Ulmer had come to know while substitute teaching. That’s still his day job and what helps fund the show. He said it paid better than TV journalism, his background.
Ulmer is also an author, with a book available on Amazon entitled “Involuntary MISSION: In China with
The name Sandy Springs became official when the U.S. Post Office approved the name change from Burdal in 1941. (Atlanta Constitution, May 4, 1969)
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.
a Thorn in the Flesh.” It’s about his time in China as an English teacher. He met his wife there, but his time in China is also where he came to understand the purpose of his epilepsy.
As a teen, his dream was to attend the Naval Academy, but he was denied entry and began delving into politics instead. But, Ulmer said he was able to serve in another capacity. He did missionary work in China, telling people about God when they asked.
The book’s title is a reference to 2 Corinthians, Chapter 12 in the Bible, when Paul asks God three times to remove the thorn from his flesh.
“But God refused to do so, because he said, ‘Your faith is sufficient for you, and in your weakness, people see my strength,’” Ulmer said
He said some theologians and neurologists think that “thorn” referred to epilepsy.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
PHOTOS FROM: “IMAGES OF AMERICA: SANDY SPRINGS” BY KIMBERLY M. BRIGANCE AND MORRIS V. MOORE/PROVIED Frank Burdett built a more modern brick Burdett Grocery in 1939.
Frank Burdett in his World War I uniform.
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No additional costs resulted due to the storm, he said, aside for meals provided to those who worked overnight in the center. The schedules for salaried city employees were shifted around to ensure 24/7 coverage.
Mullen said the city makes arrangements with Fulton County on debris collection and American Medical Response for any needs that might arise, in addition to services factored into on-call contracts that many of the city’s departments have with various vendors.
Meanwhile, utilities and other cities are recovering from the two-day flurry of preparations and response to blocked and damaged roads and electric power outages.
With the bulk of its resources still focused on the southern part of the state, Georgia Power restored service to the remaining areas without power in west Roswell Saturday afternoon. The utility completed service to some 200 customers in Sandy Springs and a few pockets of Dunwoody later in the evening.
Overall, Georgia Power reported more than 420,000 Fulton County customers initially lost power due to the storm.
Sawnee EMC reported it had restored power to nearly all of its customers in Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Forsyth County by early Saturday evening. Close to 500 customers were without power midday Sunday near State Bridge and Medlock Bridge roads. That issue was resolved by early afternoon. Power had been restored to another 40 customers on Browns Bridge Road in Forsyth County Sunday morning.
At its peak, the utility reported almost 700 customer outages in Forsyth County following the storm.
There were still several pockets of outages in DeKalb County Monday morning, each affecting fewer than five residences.
Diminished rainfall over the weekend eased flooding concerns along the Chattahoochee Roswell, which had reached flood stage of 9 feet in Roswell Friday. Some flooding was reported along Riverside Drive, but most of the impact occurred farther west in Cobb County and south into Atlanta.
Sandy Springs
In Sandy Springs, a sinkhole that formed at 4504 Lake Forest Drive Thursday was closed off to traffic and remained shut down Monday, blocking one of the area’s busiest thoroughfares. The sinkhole is just north of Chastain Park within the city limits of Atlanta.
Communications officials with Atlanta could provide no information on a timeline for repairs and advised Appen Media to submit an open records request
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK/PROVIDED
Johns Creek Communication Lieutenant Lt. Deb Coble takes a selfie with other public safety officials in the city’s makeshift Emergency Operations Center on the third floor of City Hall Sept. 27.
for further information. The city has three days to respond to the request.
The Windsor Parkway Bridge over Nancy Creek was also closed between Northland and Peachtree Dunwoody Road Thursday night due to flooding. Some residents were told to evacuate to higher ground.
The flood warning for Nancy Creek ended at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
The city reported road closures, with downed trees and power lines, at Riverside Drive and River North. Road closures were also at 6750 Castleton Drive as well as Johnson Ferry and Climbers Way.
Milton
Around 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, the City of Milton announced that a large, uprooted tree caused the closure of Mountain and Wilke roads.
“The fallen tree impacted utility lines, so some in that area may be without power,” the statement says. “Thankfully, Sawnee EMC quickly joined city crews on-site; together they’re working
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has set up a Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386.
If you need assistance cleaning up damage from the hurricane, the hotline will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to help with trees, tarp and clearing debris. All services are free but are limited due to the high volume of damage. The hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 11.
to safely address the issue and remove the tree.”
The road was reopened as of 3 p.m. Friday.
Just before daybreak Friday, the city reported part of Thompson Road between Francis and Hopewell roads is closed due to downed trees.
City crews also cleared two downed trees on Providence Road and reopened it at 8:15 a.m.
Dunwoody
Dunwoody Public Works Director Michael Smith said Monday, Sept. 30, that his team sent out crews to clear all drains on city roadways before the storm hit Friday morning. Despite damaging floods to the south along Peachtree Creek and parts of Nancy Creek, Smith said it was not as significant north of I-285.
From Thursday afternoon through Friday, the Public Works and Police departments staffed the city’s new Real Time Crime Center, which allows staff to map out fallen trees and downed power lines.
Smith said his department waited for Georgia Power to clear power lines off trees before moving in to reopen roadways. By Saturday afternoon, Smith said Georgia Power’s work in the city was complete and power was restored for all residents shortly after.
He expressed special appreciation to Construction Manager Todd Meadows and Parks Operations Manager Gabe Neps for their overnight help.
Smith said some cleanup is still needed, and he is thankful Dunwoody and Metro Atlanta was on the west side of the storm.
After Mayor Lynn Deutsch sent out a call-to-action to residents Sept. 29, many neighbors have shared images of them buying bottled water and tarps for disaster relief in Augusta, Georgia and the Carolinas.
Forsyth County
County officials opened their offices about noon Sept. 27 after the worst of the storm had passed.
Recycling convenience centers, senior service facilities, indoor Parks & Recreation facilities except for the Central Park Recreation Center were to reopen.
Power was out at the Central Park Recreation Center.
The Pet Resource Center resumed pet adoptions and regular business operations on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Sawnee EMC reported outages for more than 200 customers, primarily in Cumming.
A tree was dragging down power lines on Samples Road at Canon Court, according to county officials. On Shadow Creek Drive near Samples Lane, a tree took down power lines, leaving them lying across the roadway. On Bonanza Trail near Crooked O Trail, a downed tree blocked the southwest side of Bonanza.
Author:
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uniting through their passion for writing or reading.
Last year’s Literary Fair had slightly higher attendance. Some organizers speculated that the University of Alabama’s narrow victory over the University of Georgia Saturday night kept some residents indoors the Sunday after the game.
Mayor John Bradberry, addressing the crowd before the keynote speaker took the stage, sent his condolences to his fellow UGA alumni.
Before Bragg spoke with awardwinning author and Atlanta Writers Club Executive Director George Weinstein, local Metro Atlanta authors had some words of their own.
The Literary Fair had three-minute author pitches and an author panel, thanks to the Recreation and Parks Department’s collaboration with the club, active since 1914. It brought most of the talent to Newtown Park that day.
To kick off the program, patrons grabbed a meal before hearing from a couple dozen local authors.
Each local author, some residents of North Fulton County and others from around the state, had three minutes to pitch their book. The rotating talks from authors showed the great diversity of minds, people and places.
Some authors read from their book, others introduced the plot, and a few shared their writing processes and motivations.
The crowd listened for anything that sounded like a good read.
Throughout the afternoon, writers in the crowd stayed glued to each speaker, especially Rick Bragg.
Throughout his conversation with Weinstein, another Southern author, Bragg spoke in song, blending Appalachian lexicon with rhythmic cadence into the world-famous Southern drawl.
In Metro Atlanta, people hardly hear the accent anymore.
Bragg, who won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing at the New York Times, brought out most of the crowd.
Known for his books about his family, he credits his mother with ensuring he did not live the life that people in his community seemed predestined to live. It’s one of poverty, addiction and hopelessness.
The rural South is often poor and forgotten, although Bragg has ensured the latter changes.
Bragg is a unique American.
His journey from the small town of Piedmont, Alabama to authoring 11 books and winning the highest national honor in print journalism has made him who he is.
Another panelist at the Literary Fair, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, has something in common with Bragg.
Thurmond, the son of sharecropper and one of the most prominent Democratic politicians in Georgia, grew up poor in the South like Bragg.
Each faced unique challenges but have also lived the American Dream.
Both have completed programs at Harvard University, which was unimaginable in their youth.
About a second after Bragg took the stage, he had the crowd laughing, smiling and hanging on every syllable.
Thurmond had a similar effect on the crowd during the “Legal Eagle with Scribe Vibes” panel with fellow attorneys who have also published books.
Bragg’s first book, “All Over but the Shoutin’,” tells the story of his family.
“Before I could write a book about my mama sacrificing her whole life so I could talk to y’all, I had to explain my daddy,” Bragg said.
By talking to people about growing up poor in the rural South, Bragg has given a voice to a struggle hidden from many Americans.
local authors and library
designed for the second annual festival,
purchased books.
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Visitors peruse
collections Sept. 29 at the Johns Creek Literary Fair within Newtown Park’s Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater. The tote bags
pictured bottom right, were popular among patrons who
Pictured center, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond chats with fellow attorneys after the “Legal Eagle with Scribe Vibes” panel got off stage. Thurmond, leaving office at the end of the year, discussed his new book, “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia: A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist.”
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LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Landscape Designer in Roswell, GA. Prepare planning & site design. Perform site analysis, incl survey of existing conditions & field measurements. Conceptualize across a broad range of scales & project types, from master planned communities to urban environments at a planning & detailed site design level. Ensures tasks are completed according to Ironwood’s standards. Prepare contract docs, incl details, sections, elevations & schedules. Collaborate w. project manager in completion of projects. Collaborate & assist team members w. graphic creation, precedent research, design implementation solutions & project narratives. Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or related, 24 mons work exp of Landscape Designer or related incl 24 mons exp using CAD, Lumion, Sketchup, Photoshop, InDesign & illustrator reqd. Mail resume to: Ironwood Design Group LLC. Attn: Samuel T. Sampson, 426 S. Atlanta St. Ste.120, Roswell, GA 30075 EOE
Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc.
Senior Engineer- Firmware Alpharetta, Georgia
Responsibilities: Firmware dvlpmnt for an embedded system & dvlpmnt using realtime operating systems. Develop & maintain firmware for GridStream endpoint & network devices. Design, develop, document, & test I/O communications & device drivers. Salary: $143,000/yr
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SAVE $12,000! Greenlawn, Roswell. Regularly $7995 each. Selling for $12,000, seller will negotiate. Side-by-side Fountain B. 26-c. 1.2,3. 770-490-6425.
Reqs: Bachelor’s in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, Electrical Engg or related field & 5 yrs of exp in job offered or 5 yrs embedded software dvlpmnt. Exp must include 5 yrs each of following: programming C, C++, Assembly languages, or C#; dvlpmnt using Realtime operating systems; debugging tools in embedded system; Product Life Cycle & Software Development methodologies; RAM/ Flash memories; protocol stack such as Zigbee (802.15.4), IP, or C12.22. Exp must include 3 yrs each of following: interfacing to serial ports, A/D & D/A converters; firmware dvlpmnt; security encryption; & packet-based networks. Exp may be gained concurrently. Send resume & cover letter to: Landis+Gyr c/o Lisa Hudson, Talent Acquisition, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Ste 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022 or via email: lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com
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