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PALS
PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING & SERVICES
PALS is pleased to announced its Winer 2023 Program lineup. Classes will run on Mondays from January 9 – March 6 at the Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mt Vernon Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338. Registration is online at www.palsinline.info.
The class line up is as follows:
MONDAYS: From 10:00 am - 11:00 am Spies, Saboteurs and Rescuers During World War II
Dan O’Lone will present a fascinating look at double and even triple agents who played key roles in saving thousands of Allied lives during World War II. He will also continue with his unique take on those who rescued Jews during the War, including sewer cleaners, zookeepers, circus performers and German soldiers, as well as the man who stopped the trains to Auschwitz, a diplomat from a country that he had never been to.
From 10:00 am - 11:00 am Andrew Jackson and His Indian Wars
Tom McElhinny will continue his series on Native Americans, this time dealing with Andrew Jackson’s presidency and his Indian wars from his first battles with the Cherokee and Creek nations until the establishment of the Indian Territory in Oklahoma. The most infamous outcome of Jackson’s relentless exploits at Indian removal culminated with one of the greatest forced migrations in history-the Trail of Tears. It is a sobering reminder of a violent and dark episode in our nation’s history.
From 10:00 am - 1:45 pm Mah Jongg
Bring your own Mah Jongg card and come play. There is no instructor for the session- just fun and self-evaluation.
From 10:00 am - 1:45 pm Open Bridge for Experienced Players
From 11:15 am - 12:15 pm A History of the Space Race
John Baumbusch will take us through the history of how we got to the Moon more than 50 years ago. He will discuss moon lore, the Cold War, Russians and the Right Stuff! Through this series, we will re-live the heady days of the Space Race from the 1950s to the 1970s.
From 11:15 am - 12:15 pm The Economic Implications of Immigration
Shai Robkin will discuss how immigration is a misunderstood topic in America’s social discourse, with much of what we believe is based largely on myth. He will compare the experiences of immigrants from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to those of immigrants today, and how immigrants and their children compare educationally, professionally and economically with US born citizens and discuss the policy implications of what we find.
Alpharetta adopts plan to cultivate agriculture
By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — After nearly a year of community meetings and planning, the Alpharetta City Council has approved a comprehensive plan to guide and encourage agricultural development in the city over the next five years.
The plan was unanimously approved at the city council’s Dec. 12 meeting, making Alpharetta the second Metro Atlanta community to adopt an agricultural plan through the Atlanta Regional Commission and Food Well Alliance.
City leaders and hundreds of residents held six meetings between March and April to generate ideas and create the plan, which includes four main priorities, supporting local growers, cultivating a sense of place, sustainable stewardship and city initiatives and partnerships.
“The community worked hard, alongside Food Well Alliance, the ARC and city staff, to get to the point where we have an official plan in place for our agriculture program. We look forward to implementing the Plan and bringing the great ideas the community brought forth to life in our parks, streetscapes, and developments,” Director of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services Morgan Rodgers said. “We like to have fun in Alpharetta, and it’s fun to grow in ways that will benefit the community well into the future.” The plan includes short, medium and long-term recommendations that are expected to be implemented over the next five years.
Recommendations include items like creating a Home Growers’ Cooperative, expanding farmers market partnerships, creation of community garden space in parks, establishment of a community seed library and tool bank and supporting existing local farms.
With these initiatives, community stakeholders believe they can strengthen the relationships between local food producers, distributors and consumers, and increase access to healthy food in the local community.
“Residents made it clear over the past year that they are passionate about growing, sharing, and supporting local food,” Food Well Alliance Policy and Planning Manager Sarah Brown said. “This plan will integrate those priorities into to Alpharetta’s existing policies, programs and future development.” Alpharetta has been awarded a $75,000 grant to kickstart the plan, Rodgers said.
Dunwoody to host 7th MLK Day of Service
DUNWOODY, Ga. —Dunwoody Parks and Recreation has partnered with the Dunwoody-Atlanta Jack and Jill for America Chapter for volunteer service projects in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The city will observe it’s seventh annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16. The department began the “Souper Bowl of Caring” food drive on Dec. 1, which will continue until the MLK Day event. The city pledged to collect 55,000 pounds of food for the Community Assistance Center and Malachi’s Storehouse, a food pantry in Dunwoody.
Residents can volunteer for various projects, including tree and daffodil planting at Brook Run Park, blood donations through the BloodMobile at Brook Run Park, tree planting at Dunwoody Nature Center and painting and organizing at the Spruill Center for the Arts.
“We’re proud of our partnership with Jack and Jill, and we’re grateful for the volunteers who turn out every year in the spirit of giving back, inspired by Dr. King,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “From helping the hungry to supporting our environment, the projects tied to this day of service really make a difference.”
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national community service organization formed by African American mothers in the 1930s focused on community service and leadership.
Residents interested in volunteering can register on the Dunwoody website.
DUNWOODY/ PROVIDED On Jan. 16, Dunwoody will host the seventh annual MLK Day of Service. Residents can volunteer in gardening projects, blood drives, food drives and cleanups.