Sandy Springs Crier - March 21, 2024

School voucher bill emerges from Georgia House

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Congress funds segment of Top End I-285 Trail in Dunwoody

PERIMETER CENTER — A segment of the Top End I-285 Trail in Dunwoody received $850,000 in funding March 9 as a part of a federal package of spending bills.

The city requested $3 million in funds for a segment of the Top End I-285 Trail, connecting the Georgetown Shopping Center to Perimeter Center.

The proposed Dunwoody portion of the Top End Trail runs along the southern city limits from PATH 400 in Sandy Springs to North Shallowford Road, with a crossing into Chamblee.

The westside trails in the Dunwoody Trail Master Plan, including the Georgetown area, are focused on Perimeter Center. The proposed network calls for more north-south connections via the North Nancy Creek Greenway and east-west routes via the Top End Trail.

A proposed I-285 underpass in the Dunwoody Trail Master Plan would connect the city’s path network to Brookhaven’s Murphy Candler Park.

The $850,000 will be used for constructing a paved bicycle and walking path along the proposed I-285 Top End Express Lanes project, which adds two new, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of a portion of I-285 and Ga. 400.

The proposed project spans three counties, Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb, and crosses several cities including Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Tucker.

See TRAIL, Page 13

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks about the statewide effort to combat human trafficking March 14 during a Roswell Rotary Club meeting . Kemp thanked Roswell Police Detective Natalie Fields for her work investigating a human trafficking network operating in massage parlors throughout Metro Atlanta, including one in Sandy Springs.

Kemp praises fight against trafficking

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp stopped by Roswell Area Park March 14 for a Rotary Club meeting to advocate for ending human trafficking statewide.

More than 250 people, including Rotarians and public officials, packed the gym in the Bill Johnson Community Building to discuss commitments to veteran families and the fight against trafficking.

The same day, the Georgia House of Representatives approved final passage of the ninth anti-human trafficking bill, SB 370, under Gov. Kemp.

The bill, if signed by the governor, would require certain establishments to post human trafficking hotline information.

The bill also secures awareness training and inspections for massage practices, with requirements for the display of licenses.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson touted the local push to update ordinances on massage practices, implement more regulations and enhance enforcement.

“The City Council and I made it our top priority to eradicate illicit activities in massage parlors and put an end to human trafficking in the City of Roswell,” Wilson said. “The safety and protection of our residents, especially those who cannot defend themselves, is a solemn duty and responsibility.”

He also spoke about the Sept. 20 joint operation led by Roswell Police, in which several spas around Metro Atlanta saw criminal charges, and the subsequent ordinance changes the City Council made March 11 regarding massage establishments.

See KEMP, Page 15

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Private school voucher bill gains momentum

By ROSS WILLIAMS Georgia Recorder

ATLANTA — A school voucher bill with the backing of powerful Republican leaders passed the House 91-82 Thursday and could be headed to the Senate for a final vote.

The main part of the bill would allow parents of children in the bottom quartile of public schools to accept $6,500 to pull them out and send them to private school or teach them at home.

As she presented the bill, Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones said state funds are already used for private schools through programs like pre-K and dual enrollment for private colleges.

“Even though we made the choice to send our children to public school, as a mother, and now as a grandmother, I’ve never wanted fewer opportunities for my children,” she said. “And I was glad that there were a limited number of charter schools and a targeted school voucher program are two that the state currently had to provide options. Even though we did not exercise them. I have rarely encountered regular citizens who wanted fewer options.”

Jones said the bill will give parents another option if their local public school doesn’t suit their children. Voucher skeptics say because public schools are funded per child, taking kids out would leave struggling schools with less money to improve.

Last year, those skeptics included 16 House Republicans, who joined nearly all Democrats to scuttle a voucher bill.

Jones and other Republican leaders sought to make voting for this year’s effort more enticing by adding a raft of broadly popular education measures, including codifying teacher pay raises and allowing SPLOST money to be used for building or renovating pre-K facilities.

This year’s bill adds some testing requirements: private schools would test voucher students in math and language arts and submit their scores to the state.

The program’s cost would be capped at 1 percent of the state’s Quality Basic Education formula, or about $140 million, which would accommodate about 21,500 students.

New kindergarteners would qualify for the voucher immediately, but students in other grade levels would be required to have spent a year in public school to qualify.

“By voting yes on this bill, you are voting yes to codify an increase to teacher pay,” Peachtree Corners Republican Scott Hilton said. “By you voting

yes on this bill, you’re voting for pre-K funding. By voting yes on this bill, you are increasing the tax credit that goes to our public schools.”

The additions seemed to do the trick. Eight of last year’s no votes switched to yes this year, and one was not present for the vote. Support from powerful Republicans like Speaker Jon Burns and Gov. Brian Kemp likely didn’t hurt either.

But most Democrats said those benefits were not worth the harm they said the bill could bring. Augusta Democratic Rep. Karlton Howard said because typical tuition at private schools is well above $6,500, the bill would primarily benefit better-off families and leave lower income families at a disadvantage, exacerbating the disparity between the rich and poor.

“This bill, ultimately, what it does is perpetuate inequality in our educational system,” he said. “And frankly, I’m not swayed by the promise of teacher pay raises or kindergarten improvements if it comes at the cost of defunding our public schools.”

Macon Democratic Rep. Miriam Paris was more blunt.

“It is not only a pig with lipstick, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pig with lipstick, mascara, foundation, blush and all of the rest,” she said. “I think that this House doesn’t need a big lecture on it, and I think that we can do better.”

Most of the Republicans opposed to last year’s bill voted yes on Thursday, but a few stuck to their guns, like Pine Mountain Rep. Vance Smith, who said his wife is a retired teacher.

Smith echoed Democrats in suggesting improving public schools rather than offering a way out.

“When the dust settles, you still got children in the classroom,” he said. “We’ve got children in Harris County that live with their grandmama. They live with their aunt. What are we doing for those children that are left in the classroom? Are we raising that level of education for those children?”

One former Democrat took issue with that argument.

“What is the Democrat battle cry? The Democrat battle cry is, ‘Do this instead,’” said Atlanta Republican Rep. Mesha Mainor, who switched parties after breaking ranks in last year’s voucher vote. “We admit there’s a problem. We admit that the schools are failing, we admit that the children are not learning. We admit all of those things, but let’s not give them a choice.”

See SCHOOLS, Page 13

Where to snag vegan food in Metro ATL

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Whether it’s a personal lifestyle choice or a New Year’s health kick, a vegan diet does the body good. For those nights you aren’t up for cooking at home or safely ordering a salad at your friend’s favorite barbeque place, it’s important to have tasty options that align with your culinary preferences. While there are several health benefits to eating allnatural and organic foods, it can be exhausting to find a delicious vegan restaurant that fits your needs for a night out. Here are nine vegan food and dining options to keep on your radar throughout metro-Atlanta.

Alpharetta

1. Mayuri Indian Grill

• Authentic Indian eatery serving vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes

• Open Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Friday/ Saturday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.; closed Mondays

• Located on McGinnis Ferry Road

2. Madras Chettinaad

• Authentic South Indian food

• Serves vegetarian and vegan dishes and alternatives

• Open every day 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

• Located on State Bridge Road

Roswell

3. Veganize It

• Vegan

• Open Tuesday-Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Closed Mondays

• Serves plant-based sides and desserts with entrees available on Saturdays

• Located on Old Roswell Road

Johns Creek

4. Ethiopiques Cafe And Restaurant

• Ethiopian restaurant with vegan dishes

• Open Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/ Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. and FridaySaturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Mondays

• Serves vegan offerings and platters of varying sizes

• Located on State Bridge Road

Continued from Page 4

5. Rakkan Ramen

• Offers vegetarian and vegan dishes

• Japanese ramen bar and restaurant

• Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

• Located on Medlock Bridge Road

Peachtree Corners

6. Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine

• 100% vegan

• Offers variety of American, Hispanic, Asian, and Italian entrées, sides, and desserts

• Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

• Located on Spalding Drive

Atlanta

7. Asian Vegan Kitchen

• Traditional Asian dishes with a vegan twist

• Strictly offer deliver and pick-up

• Open Monday-Tuesday/ThursdaySunday 5:30 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.; closed Wednesdays

• Located on Forrest Street Northwest

8. Bakaris Plant Based Pizza

• 100% vegan

Vegan: AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

• Serve plant-based pizza, burger, and wraps

• Open Monday-Thursday 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday-Saturday 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.; Sundays 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.

• Located on Lee Street Southwest

9. Calaveritas Taqueria Vegana

• 100% vegan

• Serve plant-based tacos, nachos, and burritos

• Open Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; closed Mondays

• Located on Presidential Parkway

NHL expansion hopefuls pitch North Point plan

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An ownership group teamed with National Hockey League (NHL) veteran Anson Carter has expressed interest in bringing a league expansion team to Metro Atlanta.

Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group (ASE Group) has announced its petition to the NHL with backing from Neil Leibman, Peter Simon and Aaron Zeigler.

According to a press release the partners have reached an agreement with New York Life, an insurer that owns North Point Mall, to use the

property as a site for the potential hockey team.

The announcement says a mixeduse project will include an arena designed by architect Frank Gehry.

ASE Group also cites support from the City of Alpharetta and Fulton County.

“The location of an NHL franchise, as currently proposed in Fulton County, would bring an exhilarating sport to our community’s thriving professional sports lineup,” Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts said in the statement.

Book Drive

Collection Dates: March 11 - April 15

Collection Locations:

North Fulton Beautiful Recycle Center (M/T/TH/F/S 9am-5pm)

Morgan Falls Rd, Atlanta, GA 30350

Springs - Near Town Hall Entrance (Any Day/Any TIme)

Springs, GA 30328 Keller

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Atlanta Harp Center strings together festival lineup

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Harp Center, located in a quiet office park off South Main Street in Alpharetta, sports the largest selection of harps in the South.

Its showroom at 11775 Northfall Lane features pedal and lever harps from Lyon & Healy and Venus in Chicago; Salvi in Piasco, Italy; Camac in Mouzeil, France; and Dusty Strings in Seattle.

Visitors to the showroom are greeted with a mix of nature and technology.

More than 50 harps are on display from around the world. Three little fish, each of one the primary colors, circle a tank in the lobby as harpists peruse the extensive inventory.

From the hand-carved pillar of the Minerva Natural from Salvi to the 34-string, electric-lever Camac Ulysses, there is a harp designed for each patron’s taste.

The Atlanta Harp Center requires appointments to visit its showroom, which employees said allows clients to hear and experience the unique sound of each stringed instrument.

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For harpist across the South, Alpharetta’s Atlanta Harp Center is a mecca.

The rent-to-own program for lever harps gives customers the choice to either return the instrument after a four-month period or continue to rent it on a month-tomonth basis.

The team, consisting of industry experts and professional harpists, applies most rental payments toward the purchase of the instrument and allows a trade-up policy for the purchase of a pedal harp.

The initial payment for rental varies between $260-$600, with monthly payments less than $200.

While credit approval and a contract are required for the rental program, Atlanta Harp Center works with customers to find the right size, sound, look and price.

The price range for harps extends from $2,500 to $40,000.

After co-owners David and Mary Jane D’Arville married, the couple opened the Midlothian-based Virginia Harp Center in 1997. They decided to keep the name when opening a second showroom in Haddonfield, New Jersey after the success of their first location.

The Atlanta Harp Center opened its doors to the public in 2007, becoming the go-to place for world-renowned harps for interested players across the Southeast.

The D’Arvilles bill their locations as offering the largest selection of harps on the East Coast with international and domestic customers.

The Atlanta Harp Center Festival, sponsored by Camac Harps, Lyon & Healy and the Virginia Harp Center, will be March 15-17 at the Courtyard by Marriot in downtown Decatur at 130 Clairmont Ave.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Katherine Cook, manager of the Atlanta Harp Center, and David Paul Raaen, assistant manager and harpist, stand in the showroom at 11775 Northfall Lane off South Main Street in Alpharetta. Cook said employees and customers are excited for the world-class lineup at the Atlanta Harp Center Festival March 15-17 in Decatur.

Harp:

Continued from Page 6

The second regional Harp Center festival after the COVID-19 pandemic features Canadian harpist Valérie Milot; multi-award winner Juan Riveros; Celtic harpist Kim Robertson; and jazz specialist Amanda Whiting from Wales.

The festival also showcases guest performances and ensembles from Urban Youth, Middle Georgia and Feiner Musicke.

Tickets are available online and at the door.

For more information, visit atlantaharpcenterfestival.com/.

The manager, Kathrine Cook, said clients primarily come from the Lower 48 states, but the team has fulfilled orders from South Korea and Canada.

“We don’t do all international shipping, because harp factories have dealers in other countries,” Cook said. “There’s just not that many dedicated harp locations.”

Cook graduated from Kennesaw State University where she studied clarinet performance. She said she applied for an assistant manager position at the retail store without ever playing the harp.

“After college, I was working as a theater manager and was away from the music world a bit more than I liked,” she said. “I thought, ‘there’s no way they would want me, I don’t play harp,’ but it was too interesting to not apply!”

Cook said she promoted David Paul Raaen, assistant manager and harpist, to a full-time position when she took over the manager position last year.

“The harp is not just for classical musicians on a concert stage,” Cook said. “Once we know what your goals are, we can find the harp that is right for you.”

Raaen, who began playing the harp at

13, performs in weddings, church services and ensembles. He said Rhett Barnwell, composer-in-residence, and Julie Koenig, harpist-in-residence, are in the showroom a couple days a week.

Pedal harps are primarily used for classical repertoires in orchestras, while lever harps are best suited for the quick notes in folk styles, such as Celtic. Pedal harps are typically more expensive and larger than lever harps, making transportation more difficult.

“The similarity between the harp and the piano is you use both hands,” Raaen said. “You have the treble clef and the base clef.”

Raaen said Seattle-based Dusty Strings is the world’s most well-known manufacturer of lever harps for folk music.

“On the lever harp, if you start changing, you lose your base clef because you have to change it with your left hand,” Raaen said. “Whereas on [the pedal harp] you are shifting it with your feet.”

The tradeoffs between the styles do not limit the possibilities of the harp, but interested customers should note the differences, he said.

French instrument maker, Sébastien Érard, first patented the double-action pedal system in 1801.

Raaen said the system, with a few mechanical upgrades, is still in use today.

Harp-like instruments emerged around 3,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia.

Cultures throughout Africa, Asia and Europe developed harps in different forms throughout the centuries.

After its introduction into classical orchestra in the 1800s, pop culture icons in the 20th century, like the Marx Brothers and the Beatles, used harps in their performances.

“A silver lining during the pandemic was the resurgence in popularity of harps,” Raaen said.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

David Paul Raaen, sales associate at the Atlanta Harp Center and music instructor, plays a classical tune March 6 on the Minerva Natural from Salvi Harps. Raaen said preferences for harps vary, based on an individual’s ear and preferred style.

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2 Demonic

3 Discovery group inits.

4 Bed board

5 Forty winks

6 Altar vow

7 Blue-pencil

8 Dugouts

9 Bonus

10 Savvy about

11 Persian spirit

12 Time periods

13 Alaska city

18 Hide

22 Stepped

24 Bunsen burner

25 Actor Guinness

27 Father

28 Tricks

29 Broker

30 Call forth

32 Rocket type

33 French romance

34 Reverses

35 Sea eagles

36 Slap on

41 Gad about

42 Riviera city

45 He loved Lucy

49 Hot dog condiment

See solution Page 15

ATLANTA — The Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy will host its annual fundraiser “Party for the Park” on March 26 to benefit its mission to preserve the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. at SweetWater Brewing Company in Atlanta, featuring live music, food, drinks and an auction. There will also be a virtual silent auction and a 50/50 raffle, allowing participation for those unable to attend in person.

the prestigious CNPC Hightower Award for her extensive dedication to restoring the Chattahoochee River. As former board president of CNPC, retired founding director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and author of her recent memoir “Keeping the Chattahoochee,” Bethea’s efforts have had a profound and lasting impact on the recreation area and its community.

Tickets are required for “Party for the Park.” For more information and to purchase a seat, visit chattahoocheeparks. org/CNPC2024.

Group schedules fundraiser for Chattahoochee River park AAPPEN PRESSCLU B

Established in 2012, the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC) serves as the official friends group for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which spans a 48-mile stretch from the Buford Dam at Lake Lanier to Peachtree Creek and encompasses 7,000 acres of parkland. With over 3.1 million visits in 2023, it ranks as the 29th most visited national park in the United States out of 429.

Contributions to the conservancy are often used to help fill critical gaps in federal funding for trail maintenance, educational programs and volunteer management.

The group will honor Sally Bethea with

MARCH 14 MARCH 24

EASTER BUNNY HOP

What: Bring the entire family for an interactive walk around North Pond at Creekside Park with vendors, a DJ and the Easter Bunny. Kids will follow the Bunny Trail around the pond to gather sweets and treats (tattoos/stickers) from local businesses after they snap a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny.

When: Friday, March 22, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: North Pond at Creekside Park, 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek

Cost: Free

More info: johnscreekga.gov

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

What: Join Laura Markson, a backyard naturalist from the nonprofit Nurture Native Nature, as she explores basic ways to heal our yards’ ecosystems. She will share stories of the daily joy and wonder of experiencing nature in her own rewilded yard and how the introduction of native plants and water sources encourage biodiversity.

When: Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.

Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: Free

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

FAIRY TALE FOREST FESTIVAL

What: For this brand new festival at Dunwoody Nature Center, families are invited for a day of building fairy houses, tree climbing adventures, encounters with fairy tale characters, arts and crafts, and food.

When: Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody

Cost: $15

More info: dunwoodynature.org

COMMUNITY EGG HUNT

What: This family event, hosted in partnership with Stonecreek Church on Cambridge High School’s football field, includes egg hunts for all ages and a sensory friendly egg hunt at 3 p.m. Games, face painting, music and the Easter Bunny will be there. The event is free, but please pre-register.

When: Saturday, March 23, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Cambridge High School, 2845

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

What: Join Laura Markson, a backyard naturalist from the nonprofit Nurture Native Nature, as she explores basic ways to heal our yards’ ecosystems. She will share stories of the daily joy and wonder of experiencing nature in her own rewilded yard and how the introduction of native plants and water sources encourage biodiversity.

When: Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.

Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: Free

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

Bethany Bend Road, Milton

Cost: Free

More info: miltonga.gov

SPRUILL CENTER’S ARTISTIC AFFAIR FUNDRAISER PARTY

What: Marking the celebration of the Spruill Center’s new building expansion and courtyard, this year’s Artistic Affair aims to raise funds to support arts programming and outreach for the upcoming year. Tickets include valet parking, an open bar, a catered buffet dinner and live music.

When: Saturday, March 23, 5:30-9 p.m.

Where: Spruill Center for the Arts, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $100

More info: spruillarts.org

ATLANTA DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

What: Based on the classic story of a prince, turned into a beast, and Beauty, the production choreographed

by Shelley Grimes, artistic director of the Atlanta Dance Theatre.

When: Saturday & Sunday, March 2324, times vary

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell

Cost: $34 for orchestra; $26 for balcony; $20 for groups of 10 or more More info: roswell365.com

THE RUBY SUNRISE

What: Presented by Act1 Community Theatre, “The Ruby Sunrise” charts the course of the phenomenon of television through a girl named Ruby.

When: Until March 24, times vary

Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta More info: act1theater.org

FLY BETTY BAND

What: The Fly Betty Band will perform, playing dance and party music from the ’70s to current radio hits. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.

When: Friday, March 20, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming

Cost: Free

More info: cummingcitycenter.com

KEVIN HART – BRAND NEW MATERIAL

What: Emmy- and Grammynominated comedian Kevin Hart will perform.

When: Friday, March 29, 9:30 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: Tickets starting at $91.80

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

THE ART OF MOVEMENT GALLERY EXHIBIT

What: Focusing on the theme of movement, this exhibition presents artworks that depict dynamic motion, capturing the energy and fluidity of the human body, animals or inanimate objects.

When: Until May 4, business hours

Where: Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta

More info: artsalpharetta.org

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The best way to ensure this is to create a special needs trust for your child.

Once created, the trust can serve as the beneficiary of any life insurances and accounts, which in turn ensures your assets will never accidentally disqualify your child for government benefits.

Guardianship/Power of Attorney:

When your special needs child turns 18, they gain the right to make their own health and financial decisions.

Unfortunately, not all special needs children are able to assume these responsibilities, making it imperative for you to consider alternatives such as legal guardianship or power of attorney, which are both legal structures that give you or a trusted individual the right to make decisions for your child.

In the event something happens to you, make sure your child is protected and that your assets do not end up in jeopardy. Consult attorneys and financial advisors to start strategizing a plan that will protect your child’s future and happiness.

Don’t miss the Dunwoody Library Sale March 21-25

KATHY MANOS PENN

The popular Friends of the Dunwoody Library Adult Book Sale is coming up this weekend at the Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.

If you’re an avid reader, this is the event for you. You’ll find adult fiction and nonfiction selections, with most hardbacks priced at $2 and paperbacks at $1. Some books and materials are specially priced by value. You’ll be able to shop to your heart’s content knowing that cash, check, and Credit/Debit payments are accepted.

Do you like mysteries, thrillers, romance or other popular fiction genres? Mysteries are my thing, but I do occasionally branch out. Given the low prices, I always see this event as an opportunity to try something different.

Are you a nonfiction enthusiast? You may not be able to tear yourself away from the offerings on a variety of topics: Art, Religion, History, Drama, Poetry, Shakespeare, Science and Math, Music and Show Business, Travel, Health, Sports, Gardening, and more.

Because I so often read of the demise of paper books, I went in search of data. Imagine my surprise when I read that the demand for physical books is still going strong—and, in

If you go

• Thursday, March 21, 2024: Open to all, 4:00-8:00 p.m.

• Friday & Saturday, March 22 & 23, 2024: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Monday, March 25, 2024: 10 a.m.6:00 p.m., BAG DAY. Fill a large grocery bag for $7.00!

fact, growing. This excerpt from the “Guardian” about Gen Z reading habits was enlightening.

“They have killed skinny jeans and continue to shame millennials for having side partings in their hair. They think using the crying tears emoji to express laughter is embarrassing. But now comes a surprising gen Z plot twist. One habit that those born between 1997 and 2012 are keen to endorse is reading – and it’s physical books rather than digital that they are thumbing …

“Last year in the UK, 669m physical books were sold, the highest overall level ever recorded. Research from Nielsen BookData highlights that it is print books that gen Z favours, accounting for 80% of purchases from November 2021 to 2022. Libraries are also reporting an uptick in gen Z users who favour their quiet over noisy coffee shops. In the UK, in-person visits are up 71%.”

That data tells me that the work the FODL does is increasingly important. The money they raise through the sales is used to support the li -

brary by enabling it to serve the community in a variety of ways.

• Children’s programs offered during the summer and fall totaled over 140 with crafts, Take & Make, sticker posters, and LEGO club among them.

• Adult offerings include jewelry and weaving (full with a wait list), programs on Alzheimer's education, Georgia native trees, and working as a movie extra.

• Beyond the four walls of the library. FODL members also assist with library outreach by helping with presentations, books, and school supplies at National Night Out and Truck or Treat events.

My weekly visits to the local library with my mother made me a library lover at an early age, and the work of FODL is helping to grow a new generation of library lovers. Friends of the Dunwoody Library Vice President Jackie Willey says it well:

“I believe libraries are the center of a community. As an FODL volunteer, I work to make our library a place where everyone feels welcome.”

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@ gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Swing into Spring with the Dunwoody Garden Club Gala

KATHY MANOS PENN

Columnist

It’s a sure sign that Spring is here when the Dunwoody Garden Club holds their annual Gala.

The popular event includes a morning of games with a light breakfast, followed by a silent auction, a luncheon and a Chico’s fashion show. Arrive at 10:00 a.m. to play card games, mah-jongg, or a board game of your choice.

If you don’t come for games and breakfast, be sure to arrive at least by 11:00 a.m. so that you have time to peruse the silent auction items and place your bids.

The 2024 Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors are The CBD Store, The Mansions-Sandy Springs, and Atlanta

If you go

• April 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Dunwoody United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

• $35

• 1548 Mount Vernon Rd

Hearing Associates and Dunwoody Ace Hardware.

Tempting restaurant gift certificates are always plentiful. Café Intermezzo, Lazy Dog, and Budi Sushi are just a few of those who have contributed. You’ll also find live plants and flowers, passes to area attractions, fine art and jewelry, gift baskets, beauty packages, and more. The lakehouse getaway at Lanier is sure to be a popular item.

THE INK PENN Two thrilling reads offer change of pace

These books are a shift from my typical reading fare, as I more often choose British mysteries—cozies and police procedurals. From time to time, I branch out to titles I find reviewed in the local paper or the “Wall Street Journal,” or who knows where. These two thrillers were a pleasant change of pace.

“Everybody Knows” by Jordan Harper

Harper’s latest novel is billed as a murder thriller and praised by the likes of authors Michael Connelly, Megan Abbott, and S. A. Cosby. Set in Los Angeles, its protagonist is a black bag publicist. I had no idea what that was until I read this book, but it makes sense that people like her exist. I have no doubt that crisis PR firms are in the business of making the messes of the rich and powerful disappear. With enough money and enough power, the rich and famous can have their debauchery and depravity managed and whitewashed.

Dunwoody Garden Club to continue its many projects to beautify and improve Dunwoody and its environs. The main entrance gardens at Brook Run, the Dunwoody Library atrium planter and main entrance gardens, and the accent landscaping at Windwood Hollow Park are all provided and maintained by this industrious group.

To purchase tickets, please contact Bonnie Barton, 770-639-3510. Tickets for the event are $35 and must be purchased by March 25th.

As I read of Mae Pruett’s work for the firm, I could easily put celebrity names to some of the scenarios she handles. Sometimes, real life situations are referenced, like the discovery of John Belushi dead of an overdose. It only takes a small leap to imagine what would have happened if he’d been found in time to save his life. With someone like Mae working her magic, we might never have known he overdosed.

If you’re looking for a book to keep you up late at night, a book to keep you guessing until the end, this one’s a keeper.

• For tickets call Bonnie Barton, 770-639-3510, by March 25 See

This annual fundraiser allows the

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

“The Last Mona Lisa” by

Jonathan Santlofer

After reading a review of the author’s latest book, “The Lost Van Gogh”, I went in search of his first thriller. The storyline is based on the real-life theft that occurred in 1911. The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre and recovered two years later when the thief tried to sell it. Since then, some have believed that what hangs today in the Louvre is a copy.

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

Tips for creating a four-season garden show

PAM RENTZ

Are you thinking about making changes to your garden this year? Now is the time to consider what plants to add and what to remove. I view a great garden as a well-thought-out play. The spotlight moves, and there’s always something going on to engage your interest. Watching the same scene, day in and day out, gets boring. So just as there are key elements that make up a good play, there are tips to keep in mind to make your home landscape entertaining all year long.

Establish goals and roles — Whether you want your garden to provide your own farm-to-table vegetables, attract more birds and butterflies or be a peaceful retreat where you can stop and smell the roses (or gardenias) at the end of the day, it helps to have a plan in mind. Improv can be entertaining, yet sometimes a performance is better if it follows a basic script. For example, if you would like to see butterflies, consider planting asters, anise hyssop, bee balm, Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye weed (a.k.a. Swallowtail Delight), milkweed, coneflowers, sunflowers, and zinnias. In Georgia, milkweeds (Asclepias species) are host plants for Monarch caterpillars.

Year-round interest — Identify roles for your landscape plantings, keeping in mind any bloom times. Each season new plants enter the spotlight. Camellias, daffodils, azaleas, dogwood trees, roses, hydrangeas, abelias, asters and our fall foliage call for oohs and aahs during different seasons. A supporting cast of reliable evergreen plantings adds structure and can also provide privacy. Foliage, branches, sizes, shapes, and textures all catch the eye. Blue, yellow, gray, reddish, jade are all intriguing shades of green. Remember, monocultures are unhealthy and boring.

Right plant in the right place — What role do you want a plant to play in your landscape and what’s the best spot? Trees, shrubs and woody perennials are your key

Penn:

Continued from Page 11

This account of the heist shifts between what led to Vincent Peruggia’s 1911 theft of the famous painting and his fictional great-grandson’s 2019 search for his story. Why did Vincent steal the painting? Was it greed? Was it need? We

performers. When choosing plants such as trees and shrubs, keep in mind what their mature size will be. Consider scale, distance in relation to your house and location. On a hill, plants at the top play a different role than those at the bottom. Also, landscapes have both sunny and shady areas. Morning sun is different than afternoon sun. Full sun is at least six hours of direct sunlight. Consider sun, soil, moisture level, spacing, and temperature when selecting plants. Make sure your plant’s needs match those conditions at the site you choose. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated the plant hardiness zone map in 2023 and it’s getting warmer. To determine your USDA plant hardiness zone, click on https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Soil testing — To optimize your plantings, it’s helpful to know nutrient levels and soil pH. Don’t automatically assume you should simply add fertilizer. (Full disclosure: I killed a bed of beautiful dianthus by doing this.) Take soil samples from various spots in your landscape. For a small fee, soil tests for basic soil nutrients and minerals can be obtained at UGA Extension Fulton County. Learn more at https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/ fulton/agriculture-and-natural-resources/

discover his circumstances and motivation when his great-grandson Luke Perrone visits the Laurentian Library in Florence to view what may be Vincent’s journal.

As a university art professor and artist, Luke has been trying for years to learn more about his great-grandfather. Day after day, Luke reads a journal allegedly written when Vincent was in prison. Mix in a rogue employee of INTERPOL’s Art Theft Division and a beautiful blonde from New York City,

testing-services.html.

Do no harm — Invasive plant species are known to harm the environment. In Georgia, kudzu, English ivy, Chinese privet, and Nandina are among those plants considered invasive. For more information, “Invasive Plants of the Southeast” (https://botgarden.uga. edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ Invasive-Species-Brochure.pdf) by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance lists the top 20 invasive species.

Consult reliable resources — The University of Georgia Extension, the Georgia Native Plant Society, NCSU’s Plant Toolbox, and Doug Tallamy’s Homegrown National Park websites are a few helpful online resources. The Georgia Green Landscape Stewards certification program developed by the University of Georgia Extension service offers excellent information to help residents and businesses adopt sustainable landscape management. Plus, if your landscape meets the scorecard metrics, you can gain “Certified Georgia Landscape” status (and have the option to purchase this sign for your yard)!

Visit wonderful gardens — Years ago a friend introduced me to the Charleston Festival of Houses and Gardens where

and you have an intriguing thriller.

Who is tracking Luke’s every move? Is it INTERPOL? Is it the blonde? Is it someone else? Let’s just say that he is a person of interest to many. Once again, a book kept me up late too many nights in a row. I had to know how the loose ends tied together and whether a happy ending was in the cards. You’ll have to read the book to find out. Me? I’m off to put “The Lost Van Gogh” on hold at the

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.

we embarked on our own walking tour. It was a chance to see “behind the iron gates” of those wonderful private and public gardens that opened my eyes to possibilities I would have never considered. During April, the Historic Garden Week in Virginia features tours throughout the state. The Brandywine Valley in northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania also has many wonderful and inspiring gardens, including Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate, Mt. Cuba Center and more. Keep a journal of your garden visits and what works and what doesn’t in your own garden. You’ll be glad you did!

Finally, have fun and enjoy yourself as you grow! Ralph Waldo Emerson was a wise man: “Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.”

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/columnists/ garden_buzz/.

Save the Date! Garden Faire 2024 will be held on April 20, 2024, at The Grove at Wills Park. https://www.nfmg.net/gardenfaire.html

library and join Luke in yet another art mystery.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Guest Columnist

Top left: Sheffield mums (Fall)

Bottom left: Ferns/heucheras (Winter)

Top right: Rose (Spring)

Bottom right: Butterfly weed (Summer)

PAM RENTZ/PROVIDED

Who you gonna believe?

‘The marketplace of ideas’

PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com

The Pew Research Center asked me recently to participate in a survey on current affairs. I consented to offer my opinions on religion, politics, immigration and other assorted issues because it is important to help paint an accurate picture of American sentiment.

I’ve always found Pew, a division of the Pew Charitable Trust, to be a reliable source of valuable information.

Thanks to the galaxy of internet and broadcast outlets, we now have an exhaustive supply of “expert” policy statements on social and political stances. I find few of them trustworthy, and yet the shelves overflow in the marketplace of ideas.

That term, “marketplace of ideas,” is attributed to Supreme Court giant Oliver Wendell Holmes in his dissent on a 1919 case relating to the Espionage Act. Two defendants were convicted of distributing leaflets, signed “revolutionists,” calling for an end to U.S. efforts to intervene in Russia’s civil war.

Holmes argued, unsuccessfully, that the leaflets presented no “clear and present danger” to the country and that, “The best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.”

Holmes’ marketplace of ideas is now an industry, fueled by special interests with deep pockets or pecked on the keyboards of provocateurs in their parents’ basement.

On a grander scale, there are “think tanks,” teams of data jugglers paid to manufacture viewpoints to suit any social or political persuasion. Most of these policy statements begin with some basis in fact, but their route to a conclusion is often skewed with partisan detours before landing on any “truth.” The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard reports more than 1,200 think tanks operate in the United States.

Not all think tanks are evil. Some provide valuable research devoid of bias.

Schools:

Continued from Page 3

Mainor said she was raised in a rough part of Atlanta and credited her mother for sending her to another school outside of her district.

The bill could be headed to the Sen-

Whether they admit it or not, the seminal purpose of most think tanks is to spread information, often to sway public opinion in a pre-determined direction. Many identify themselves as “non-partisan,” but most really aren’t.

All receive funding from someone –people, organizations, and in some cases, grants. No one has ever given money to anyone without a reason.

Many think tanks are alchemists of thought, often turning raw propaganda into gold. It’s their job to tell you what to think, not how to think.

Cable news – and I use that term loosely – supports a cast of characters spewing arguments culled from think tanks.

Cable news is today’s ESPN, politics as sport – moderators as coaches; guests, either Stepford cheerleaders or hapless quarterbacks in a collapsing pocket.

Is it any wonder that people today cite facts that are, in fact, not facts at all?

Only recently, the Miami Chronicle reported online that the U.S. is softening its stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The information was attributed to an unnamed State Department official via a leaked recording. The Chronicle also carried other news out of South Florida, information that had already been aired of published by local outlets.

For the record, there is no Miami Chronicle. It is a fiction.

It presents a stream of legitimate local news, then adds baseless propaganda disguised as articles.

A team from the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University traced the invention of the Miami Chronical to a pro-Kremlin website, according to the New York Times (if you trust the Old Gray Lady).

If it’s not evident already, the greatest threat to this democracy is that we’ve forgotten how to establish facts first, then disagree. And it’s gone on so long that an entire generation now knows of no time when truth existed.

With apologies to the brilliant Justice Holmes, the best test of truth comes not from the marketplace of ideas. It emerges from facts stripped down to the marrow.

ate, which passed last year’s version without the additions. Kemp has indicated he looks forward to signing the bill. If he does, it will go into effect for the 202526 school year.

This story comes to Appen Media through a reporting partnership with Georgia Recorder, a nonprofit newsroom that covers statewide issues.

Trail:

Continued from Page 1

The Georgia Department of Transportation bills the I-285 Top End Express Lanes as an effort to improve regional mobility, provide more reliable trip times and offer a choice to motorists traveling through the metro Atlanta region.

The express lanes project will be part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes network, present on I-75 and I-85.

The proposed project is also part of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Transportation Plan and is classified as a regional freight corridor and a priority corridor to enhance transit operations.

Federal environmental documents and studies are being updated after GDOT revised its public-private partnership delivery model in June 2021 for the project. The procurement and construction schedule remains under review, with three phases expected for the project.

President Joe Biden signed a $460 billion package of spending bills March 9, preventing a shutdown of federal agencies.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson announced March 11 the funding of 15 projects, to-

taling $15.8 million, for Georgia’s Fourth District.

Johnson represents parts of DeKalb County, Newton County, and all of Rockdale County. The projects in DeKalb County include parks, trails, domestic violence resources, recreation and transportation involving DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and MARTA.

“From Dunwoody in the north to Ellenwood in the south and all points in between, every part of DeKalb is touched by this important federal funding,” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said. “We thank our man in Washington – Congressman Hank Johnson – for providing us with the support we need to renovate and improve our trails, schools, parks and critical funding for the state’s second-busiest airport, PDK.”

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said the city appreciates Johnson’s partnership and support for improving connectivity in the community.

“We are thrilled to receive an appropriation from Congressman Hank Johnson for the Georgetown segment of the Top End I-285 Trail,” Deutsch said. “This trail segment will provide regional connectivity, recreation, and additional commute options for major employment centers and dense residential areas. “

— Hayden Sumlin

In Memoriam

Elaine “Lainy” Lesser Goldstein

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Elaine “Lainy” Lesser Goldstein of Atlanta, Georgia on March 10th, 2024.

Lainy and her husband, Bobby Sr., shared 64 years of a magical marriage filled with love and fun. They travelled with friends around the world and enjoyed hosting their friends and family at their home. She was everyone’s loving mom, and everyone felt comfortable in her presence. Lainy, an Atlanta native, grew up in Buckhead and moved to Sandy Springs to start her family. Everyone she touched felt her compassion. At 72 years old, she discovered that she had 3 brothers, with whom she cherished her relationship.

Lainy is survived by her husband, Robert “Bobby” Goldstein Sr.; children, Robert “Bobby” Goldstein, Jr. (Amanda) and Nancy Goldstein Parker (Jimmy); grandchildren, Josh (Brittany), Madeline, Micah, Stephen, Matthew, Brett, and Aaron. She is also survived by her brothers

Joe (Gail), Ira (Marie), and Larry (Peggy) Wellisch. She is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Lala Lesser, and her son, Marc Lesser Goldstein, of blessed memory. We want to give special appreciation to her loyal caregiver, Hannah Atakorah, who stood by her side for the last 4 years.

Funeral services were held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, March 12th at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA. To watch the service online, please click https://vimeo. com/922161989. Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 13th from 12:00pm to 4pm, with Shiva at 7pm, at the home of Bobby and Amanda Goldstein.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to make a donation kindly consider The Temple, Temple Emanuel, or The Atlanta Humane Society.

We extend our condolences to Lainy’s entire family. May her memory be for an everlasting blessing.

Kemp:

Continued from Page 1

Some updates included clarifying the role of a registered agent and the requirement for massages to be performed by a Georgia licensed therapist.

Natalie Fields and the first lady for their work combatting human trafficking and commended Roswell Police and the city on their efforts.

“We appreciate this club for being in the fight,” Kemp said. “People like Dave McCleary and a lot of people in the room were in the trenches long before we got involved in the fight.”

“While we may not be able to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking on a global scale,” Wilson said. “We are going to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking in the City of Roswell.”

He said he hopes the local effort inspires other jurisdictions across the state and country to follow suit.

Dave McCleary, vice chair of Rotarians Against Slavery, presented first lady Marty Kemp with an award for her efforts to combat human trafficking in Georgia and across the United States.

“Thank you for your outstanding contributions and leadership that exemplifies service above self,” McCleary said.

McCleary said that Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott attributed her state’s trafficking task force to inspiration from Marty Kemp’s work in Georgia.

Gov. Kemp then took the podium to discuss his commitment to public safety and the economic impact of the North Fulton cities.

“There’s some great work going on here,” Kemp said. “I appreciate what Roswell Rotary is doing, not only for our community but also for our state.”

The governor thanked Detective

Fields, a special investigations detective at the Roswell Police Department, received an award for her work combating human trafficking in North Fulton from the Roswell Rotary Club, the Roswell Action Group Against Slavery and End Human Trafficking Now.

Detective Fields said McCleary invited her to the Governor’s Mansion for a meeting with the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion and Education Commission.

Police Chief James Conroy, credited with leading the September operation with other North Fulton cities, said it’s an honor to have the governor and the first lady recognize the department’s work in Roswell.

“Detective Fields has done a tremendous job,” Conroy said. “We started looking at one thing, which is the sex violations, and uncovered organized crime and human trafficking.”

He said the investigation into organized crime has become much larger than he originally anticipated.

In 2024, Roswell Police have shut down six illegal massage practices. Conroy said there is more to come.

“[The City Council] just passed a stronger ordinance this week,” Conroy said. “You can expect more, now that we’ve got some more tools in our toolbox.”

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Dave McCleary, vice chair of Rotarians Against Slavery, presents Georgia first lady Marty Kemp, right, with an award for her work combating human trafficking. McCleary thanked Kemp for her dedication to “service above self.”

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