BAUMAN/SPECIAL TO APPEN MEDIA
Kaufman, recent Georgia Tech graduate with a master’s degree in city/regional planning and public policy, presents her Sandy Springs Homeownership Assessment at the July 16 City Council work session.
Data shows city short on affordable housing
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Metro Atlanta’s crisis of housing affordability is acute in Sandy Springs.
That’s the word from Georgia Tech graduate Mira Kaufman who presented a Sandy Springs Homeownership Assessment with the City Council at its July 16 work session.
Overall Market Trends (2018 - 2022)
•Slight population decrease
•Owner-occupied units: + 6,055
•Renter-occupied units: - 7,640
•Median Owner Occupied Home Price: $530,000 - $649,500
Sandy Springs names Burnett to promote city economic efforts
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs announced the appointment of Chris Burnett July 16 as its new Economic Development director.
The 35-year resident will be responsible for citywide economic development beginning Aug. 15.
Burnett served on the Sandy Springs City Council from 2017-21, representing District 3 north of I-285. After two successful campaigns, Burnett announced he would not seek reelection.
•2022: 56% of renters with incomes between $50,000 - $74,999 are cost-burdened
•Portion of residents making more than $150,000 annually: + 10%
MIRA KAUFMAN/PROVIDED
A summary of overall market trends in Sandy Springs highlights a study of homeownership in Sandy Springs. The research focuses on opportunities for young adults with families and first-time homebuyers.
Kaufman, with master’s degrees in city/regional planning and public policy, wrote an applied research paper before graduation through Tech’s partnership with the city for academic research. She is now a project manager with developers Gorman & Company, which is responsible for new affordable housing in southwest Atlanta next to the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station.
Mayor Rusty Paul introduced Kaufman as having compiled a report as high-level as any consultant work the city has spent taxpayer money on.
In his new role, Burnett will work directly with local organizations, businesses and individuals on economic development-related needs.
For more than 40 years, Burnett has served in a multitude of community banking positions including president & CEO of three previous Atlanta banks: Eastside Bank & Trust, Horizon Bank and Cornerstone Bank.
He founded the Bank of Sandy Springs in 2013 where he served as president.
Through a series of merger transactions, Bank of Sandy Springs is now part of SouthState Bank, one of the largest regional banking companies in the Southeast.
ANDY
Mira
NEWS TIPS
770-442-3278
AppenMedia.com
319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
HANS APPEN Publisher CONTACT
Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.
LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.
ADVERTISING
For information about advertising in the Sandy Springs Crier or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
CIRCULATION
To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Kemp appoints Police Chief DeSimone to Georgia Homeland Security Board
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmeida.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Sandy Springs Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone to the state Board of Homeland Security July 15.
The governor appoints state, local, and private sector leaders to the 17-member board, which is dedicated to coordinating homeland security activities in Georgia.
The Homeland Security Division’s services include critical infrastructure analysis, incident management and response, fire services coordination, agroterrorism preparedness, exercise and training and intelligence gathering.
The division’s website says it works closely with federal partners that include the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate funding, training, response and preparedness programs.
The mission of the Board of Homeland Security is to advise, strategize, coordinate, and plan for homeland security matters across Georgia.
DeSimone has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience and has been with the SSPD since 2009.
He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 2014 following 32 years of active and reserve service primarily in the Military Police.
DeSimone, veteran of the Iraq and
Afghanistan wars, holds a bachelor’s degree in police administration from the University of Louisville and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He is the recipient of the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterterrorism Investigation and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Medal of Valor.
The governor also announced the appointment and re-appointment of another 65 Georgians July 15 to various state boards, authorities and commissions.
Chief DeSimone told Appen Media that he’s honored to be appointed to the Georgia Board of Homeland Security.
“More than three decades of law enforcement experience has equipped me to contribute directly to safeguarding the state and its citizens against various threats,” Desimone said. “I look forward to serving alongside fellow board members and Gov. Kemp.”
In other news, Sandy Springs police officers are helping local law enforcement at the Republican National Convention Milwaukee, Wisconsin, through Thursday, July 18.
The Sandy Springs Police Department is the only local law enforcement agency from Georgia that has made the trip to Wisconsin for convention security.
Sandy Springs Public Information Officer Sgt. Leon Millholland said earlier this year the Milwaukee Police Chief sent out a request across the nation to law enforcement agencies requesting assistance.
Marietta native Jon Wilcox joins Appen reporting team
ALPHARETTA, Ga — Appen Media Group announced July 17 that Jon Wilcox will join its staff as a reporter. Wilcox will cover local government and business in Alpharetta and Forsyth County. He will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and he will be based in Alpharetta.
“Jon developed sharp reporting and editing chops in a Texas newsroom similar to ours,” Appen said in a statement. “We’re excited to have him here with us now and to see what he can do back in friendly territory.”
Wilcox grew up in Marietta and graduated from Texas State University in 2015 with a major in journalism. During his time at Texas State, Wilcox took courses exploring creative writing, English and mass
To contact Wilcox with news tips or story ideas, email jon@appenmedia.com.
communications. After graduation, Wilcox served at the Victoria Advocate newspaper in Victoria, Texas, as a breaking news, public safety and courts as well as entertainment reporter. He finished his time at the Advocate serving as local editor.
“I have a passion for informing audiences through hard-hitting news stories and compelling storytelling on a daily basis. There’s so much that goes on in our communities that we would not know about without local journalism,” Wilcox said. “It’s a privilege to do that work in Alpharetta and Forsyth County in the incredible newsroom here at Appen Media.”
Searching for Meaning? Looking to build connection?
Temple Sinai of Sandy Springs is hosting a new Introduction to Judaism course beginning in September, open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students, who want to enrich their lives through Jewish values and spirituality. Wherever you are on your personal journey, this is a safe and welcoming place for you to explore.
more at https://tinyurl.com/SinaiJudaismClass or scan here
George Northrop, development director of the Community Assistance Center, greets guests July 16 outside the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s Byers Theatre for the “Night of Hope.” Northrop said the fundraising event with the City Springs Theatre Company helps spread the word about food insecurity in Perimeter.
Community Assistance Center mixes entertainment, outreach
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — While costs of housing and healthcare continue upward, Americans are feeling the strain at the dinner table, too.
With pandemic-era programs winding down as prices remain high, low-income families are struggling to put food on the table.
A one-night performance of “Jersey Boys” in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s Byers Theatre supports the families that make Metro Atlanta’s Perimeter market hum.
The City Springs Theater Company partnered with the Community Assistance Center July 16 for the “Night of Hope,” sending a portion of ticket sale proceeds to fight hunger and homelessness in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.
Both nonprofits share a board member, attorney and Sandy Springs resident Richard Hendrix.
George Northrop, development director of the CAC, said Hendrix came to the organizations with an idea for a crossover event, featuring two of the area’s most impressive nonprofits.
Northrop said CAC staff gave a twominute update on food insecurity to a crowd of more than 700 patrons to open the show.
City Springs Theatre Company told Northrop it was the production’s largest audience yet.
“What could be better than pairing a great performance with an opportunity for our neighbors to take an active role in bettering our community?” Northrop said.
The Community Assistance Center provides financial assistance to families faced with whether to pay rent or buy
groceries, taking the tough decisions off the table.
The Perimeter nonprofit reports it saved 962 families from eviction last year.
Last summer, CEO Francis Horton reported the charity saw a 47 percent increase in usage of its programs.
In an April 16 presentation to the Sandy Springs City Council, Horton said 67 percent of clients have a full-time job but can’t make ends meet.
With food and housing up more than 20 percent in Metro Atlanta, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the cost of living in Perimeter is skyrocketing.
CAC volunteers said fundraising efforts like the “Night of Hope” are critical as requests for assistance continue to rise every month and are up 33 percent compared to last summer.
Financial contributions directly help fulfill the CAC’s mission of providing basic needs to prevent homelessness and hunger among community members while promoting self-sufficiency and empowering them to thrive.
“This partnership between CAC and City Springs Theatre Company is a perfect example of how nonprofits can come together to support each other and serve our community,” Horton said.
The charity now feeds more than 1,000 families a month from three food pantries, one on Northwood Drive, another at Dunwoody Park South and a third Roswell Road.
“Jersey Boys” is a musical that follows the evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop music history — Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Wedding planner driven by love and flowers
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Lisa Chandler, owner and lead planner/ designer of SomeTheme Wedding and Events, said the wheels to venture into the industry had been in motion for a long time.
The spark was her own wedding day 25 years ago, on Valentine’s Day. With a budget of $100, she wore her “old, comfy, faithful” T-shirt and ripped jeans to a courthouse. It was her and her husband’s first fight about money and the biggest to date, a sun-up to sun-down affair.
“Little did I know that that day was going to fuel my passion for what I do now,” Chandler said from inside the bridal suite of the venue, spread across the third floor of a commercial building off Heritage Walk in Milton.
It’s been her purpose to make one of the most important days of a couple’s life more special than her experience and to do it in an intimate setting.
We’ll help you choose everything from napkin color to the getaway car.”
LISA CHANDLER Owner
and lead planner/designer of SomeTheme Weddings and Events
“This is where my passion for the elopements comes in,” Chandler said. At SomeTheme, they can be planned in as little as one week. “I had the elopement where I didn’t even have a bridal bouquet or anything.”
She spoke excitedly about her son’s recent elopement, with her on wedding flower duty and the bride’s mother on bridal bouquet duty.
Chandler and her husband intend to renew their vows inside SomeTheme, before the first scheduled wedding. Since opening in July, Chandler has one wedding in the books for the fall and a baby shower just around the corner.
By the end of the year, Chandler will have served 589 clients. She officially began her business in 2012, back when she’d take cold calls off sites like WeddingWire.
Chandler told herself she wasn’t getting any younger and the freelance work, mostly floral design and decor installations, was taxing on the knees. The location in Milton would allow clients to come to her, though her offices and floral studio are based in Acworth.
The right spot
When she chose the location, the building hadn’t been erected. It was a plot of dirt. But, she said Milton felt right because of its quaint atmosphere.
“I feel like it’s one of those close-knit communities that I grew up in, and I loved that,” Chandler said. She grew up in Lithonia.
The bridal suite of the venue features vanity units, with plugs-ins for curling irons and the like, white decor and seating. Through a doorway, locked during the event, are bathrooms and showers.
“If it’s a bride, she won’t have to be seen,” said Chandler, who’s more old-fashioned herself, preferring the big reveal the moment the bride walks down the aisle, though she said getting a “first look” might be more practical.
The 3,000-square-foot ballroom down the hall -
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Lisa Chandler, owner and lead planner/designer of SomeTheme Weddings and Events, makes herself comfortable in her wedding venue’s bridal suite equipped with vanity units. While Chandler started her wedding planning business in 2012, she opened her first venue off Heritage Walk in Milton in July.
Lisa Chandler, owner and lead planner/designer of SomeTheme Weddings and Events, stands inside the 3,000-square-foot ballroom of her venue featuring columns and chandeliers with elegant lighting. The venue, which holds up to 150 guests, is in Suite 301 at 3100 Heritage Walk.
way, which serves as the ceremony and reception space, features elegant sconces and chandeliers. The biggest ceiling fixture, at the entrance, will become transformed, wrapped with flowers.
A shuttle takes guests from a dedicated parking area about a mile down the road.
Full-service wedding planning starts at $35,000,
The bridal suite inside SomeTheme Weddings and Events venue is styled with white seating and decor.
a project that takes an average of six months. Chandler also offers scaled-down experiences.
“We’ll help you choose everything from napkin color to the getaway car,” Chandler said of the largest package, adding that she has an extensive vendor list.
The only thing she doesn’t offer is photography, but that’s because that requires a personal touch, she said. However, she will make recommendations.
Two Perimeter area chambers announce merger in the works
NORTH
METRO ATLANTA — Sandy Springs Perimeter and Perimeter chambers of commerce are merging to expand their representation in the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs business communities.
The new, combined chamber aims to be fully merged and operational by Jan. 1.
“It was concluded that in today’s fluid and dynamic economic environment, the two chambers would be better and stronger together,” according to a statement issued by the chambers July 15.
Members should receive increased support because of streamlined roles and can expect new benefits resulting from enhanced services, better resource allocation and more robust programming.
For its first year, the new chamber will be governed by a combined board of directors from both organizations and co-chaired by their 2025 chairpersons.
The new chamber, whose name has yet to be decided, will be located at Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber’s current location at 1000 Abernathy Road in Sandy Springs. A future location for the shared headquarters will be evaluated during the chambers’ integration process before the lease ends in April.
“The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber (SSPC) makes every decision through the lens of our vision of en -
suring that the Sandy Springs Perimeter region remains the leading community to live, work, learn, and play in the Southeast,” said Brian Bollins, Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber Board chair. “Our decision to combine the SSPC and the Perimeter Chamber into one organization that enriches the business community across the northern arc of the Metro Atlanta area is no exception. Our new united organization is poised to provide greater value to our members through expanded networking, advocacy and support.”
Grady Saunders, board chair for Perimeter Chamber said the merger makes perfect sense.
“In a world where connections and collaborations are the cornerstones of success, uniting the Perimeter and Sandy Springs Perimeter Chambers represents progress by offering a larger network, expanded resources and stronger community presence,” he said.
Membership status will remain unchanged, and annual renewals will continue as usual. Member voting rights will remain intact to ensure fair representation. Partnerships and collaborations will be maintained and supported.
Membership fees will be assessed early in the integration process and should be approved quickly by the boards.
— Jon Wilcox
PROVIDED Logos for the Perimeter and Sandy Springs Perimeter chambers of commerce. The two chambers plan to merge by the start of 2025 in a move both organizations say will help them better serve members.
CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED The Geographic Information System Department creates interactive data maps for Sandy Springs staff and residents to use for their benefit. The Community Development Map, pictured above, allows residents to check zoning conditions and create their own display.
Sandy Springs GIS receives recognition
announced July 17 it received the Special Achievement in Geographic Information System Award at the 2024 Esri User Conference in San Diego.
A geographic information system captures, stores and displays data related to positions on the Earth’s surface. The data assists with decision-making, creating layers for different types of information, and allows users to interact with different overlays of the city.
Esri’s annual awards recognize organizations worldwide that show leadership, hard work, vision and innovation using its GIS technology.
The city says its GIS Department uses Esri’s ArcGIS Urban and City Engine to visualize development scenarios in two spots, providing realistic renderings of proposed developments.
The project created 3D building footprints for existing and planned developments. A mesh draped over the existing buildings and planned
developments allows viewers to understand the impacts and see a realistic representation.
Staff said providing 3D visualizations allows it to better communicate with citizens on proposed developments and understand how they will fit in with existing landscape.
Additionally, the GIS Department provided a mechanism for licensed professionals to provide apartment inspection data, which the Community Development Department can view in real-time.
Staff said utilizing real-time inspection results with dashboards allows them to quickly see which areas need focus and update apartment managers.
Jack Dangermond, president and founder of Esri, announced the Special Achievement in GIS Awards July 15, awarding 197 organizations that set new precedents in the GIS community.
Out of the more than 100,000 Esri clients worldwide, Sandy Springs is the only city in Georgia to win this year’s award.
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs
Be aware of fraudulent transfer of properties in Fulton County
Brought to you by –
Geerdes & Associates
In the last few years, our clients have asked about the possibility of fraudulent transfers of properties without the owner being notified. While this does not happen for homeowners who have their properties in a trust, those who don't have a trust yet must be aware of this risk. Fortunately, Fulton County has set up an alert system to notify you when there is a change of ownership or legal document filed for a designated property. This alert system is called the Filing Activity Notification System (FANS)
Spearheaded by the Clerks of the Superior Court, FANS is an opt-in notification system. By simply creating an account and setting your notification preferences, you can immediately receive alerts about deeds, mortgages, and liens that are filed on your property. FANS operate by con-
necting directly with the Superior Court’s index database, which contains records of all the documents filed for every property in Fulton County. When you set up an account, FANS will automatically send you a notice whenever documents are filed for a designated property.
In today’s fast-paced world, staying informed about important legal filings related to real estate is crucial. Whether you are a homeowner, a real estate agent, or simply interested in tracking property records, FANS’s timely alerts allow you to keep a close eye on the legal documents related to a property - and act swiftly in the case of fraudulent filings. Take advantage of the transparency of FANS and make sure you cover this aspect of your asset protection today.
DC Aiken
Big Sky Franchise Team
David & Michelle Bertany
Amour & Duane Carthy
Support Local News Join Appen Press Club
CHARTER MEMBER
Fricton
MEMBER+
Barbara Anderson
Kerry Arias
Scott Baynton
Joseph Bell
James Bennett
Carl Abernathy
Salpi Adrouny
Alpharetta Lions Club
Omar Altalib
Dave Altman
Ron Altman
Joel Alvis
American Legion Post 201
Alice & Dr. Richard Appen
Gaye Armstrong
Mary Asbury
Shannon Banna
Beth Barnes
Janet Bass
Barbara Bauschka
Kathy Beck
Bill Bentley
Leslie Berry
Tom Billings
Tochie Blan
Ron Boddicker
Jodi Bogen
Sherri Bolles-Rogers
Helen Borland
Debra Bowen
Joe Bowen
Ryan Brainard
Mark Brandus
Mel Brannen
Dorothy Brouhard
Erendira Brumley
Bernhard Burgener
Alvin Burrell
Mike & Theresa Buscher
Mary Busman
Gary Butterfield
Clea Calloway
Kirk Canaday
James Carr
Bridgette Carter
William Cartwright
Pat Check
Virginia Christman
Christopher Cleary
Ann Coaloa
Kim Coggins
MEMBER
Evelyn Collazo
Rhonda Cude
Michael Mackenzie
Communications
Joan Compton
Terri Coons
David Davis
Duane DeBruler
Marilyn DeCusati
Rebecca Donlan
Tom Driscoll
Michael Dudgeon
Jeanette Dummer
DutchCrafters Amish Furniture
Mim Eisenberg
Danny Elkins
Su Ellis
Martha Fasse
Nell & Doug Fernandez
Lee Fleck
Cathy Flynn
Mary Ford
Nanci Foster
Amy Frederick
Kelly Frommer
Carol Fry
Tracey Ganesh
Daniel Gay
John Gibbs
John Gilberto
Leslie Gilliam
Bailey & Ryan Gladysz
Michelle Glotzbach
Harvey Goldberg
Christopher Goodrich
Phyllis Goodrich
Ralph Griffin
Marilee Hamilton
Susan Hanna
Roxanne Hazen
Joe Hirsch
Penn Hodge
Dianne & Steffan Holmquist
Joan Hostetter
Austin Hughes
Lynn Johnson
To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.
Tyler Jones
Arthur Kebanli
Laura Keck
Mark Kelly
Allison Kloster
Dyna Kohler
Larry Krueger
Jess & Chris Kysar
Malinda Lackey
Ken Leffingwell
Carol Lehan
Bonnie Lind
Francia Lindon
Harlan Little
Ross Long
Brenda Lundy
Rita Loventhal
Karen Magill
Kyile Marshall
Julie Martin
Valerie Matthews
William Maxwell
Rachel McCord
Austin McCully
Diane McDonald
Lynn McIntyre
Mike McLoughlin
Jennifer Mendoza
Al Merrill
Chris Miller
Pappas
HOLLY GEERDES
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Author events, announcements make for hot August days, nights
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
Whether the focus is back to school or the pool, summer’s last full month is sizzling with book events and festival announcements aplenty. Check out the slate of August’s author activities, and set a reminder for the second annual Johns Creek Literary Fair Sept. 29 with keynote speaker Rick Bragg. Bragg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, acclaimed writer and bestselling author of 13 nonfiction books, including “All Over but the Shoutin’,” and, most recently, “The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People, Lost and Found.”
He will be in conversation with Brian Panowich, award-winning Georgia author of “Nothing but the Bones,” released in April, and three other novels. They will be joined by over 30 local, regional and nationally known writers at the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park in Johns Creek. For more information about the free event, click on the events tab at johnscreekga.gov/recreation-parks/.
Take note of these August
Saturday, Aug. 3, McCracken Poston Jr. The Friends of Sandy Springs Library and Bookmiser will host the author of “Zenith Man,” a true crime thriller. Bookmiser will have copies for purchase and personalization. 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library. 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/events. html
Saturday, Aug. 3-Thursday, Aug. 29, Forsyth Writes Together Series. Seven activities including author talks and writing workshops will be offered at four Forsyth County libraries as part of the Forsyth Writes Together Series. Free. For times, locations and details, go to events. forsythpl.org/, and scroll to the August calendar.
Wednesday, Aug. 7, Joel Waldman, discussing “Surviving the Survivor: A Brutally Honest Conversation About Life (& Death) with My Mom: A Holocaust Survivor, Therapist & My Podcast Co-Host.” 5 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore. com
Friday, Saturday and Monday, Aug. 9, 10 and 12, Friends of the Roswell Library Book Sale. See website for hours. Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell. 404-612-9700. forl.net
Saturday, Aug. 10, George Weinstein and Kim Conrey. Meet the engaging Atlanta Writers Club couple as they chat about and sign their novels. 11 a.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Saturday, Aug. 17, Robyn Field with “Peony Watercolor’s Wish for Sun and Moon,”
George Weinstein and Kim Conrey, married Atlanta Writers Club officers, will sign their novels Aug. 10 at Milton’s Poe & Company Bookstore.
book happenings
her new release for grade school readers. Noon. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Tuesday, Aug. 20, Toni Bellon, Don Pattillo and musician Mike Shaw. A Novel Idea and Bookmiser present the launch of Bellon’s debut novel, “L.E.A.P.” She will be joined by Pattillo, focusing on his latest release,” A Romance of Flight,” and musical interludes provided by Shaw and friends. 7 p.m. Free. Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern, 10595 Old Alabama Road Connector. 770-509-5611. bookmiser. net/book-events.html
Thursday, Aug. 22, Crabapple Summer Stroll, featuring Bob Myers and his photo-filled keepsake, “The Barns of Old Milton County.” 5 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Saturday, Aug. 24, Jeff Barry. The Friends of Sandy Springs Library and Bookmiser host the author of “Go to Hell Ole Miss,” a Top 20 USA Today national bestseller, with copies available to purchase through Bookmiser. 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library. 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/ events.html
Wednesday, Aug. 28, Horror Book Club debuts, discussing Paul Tremblay’s contemporary horror novel, “Survivor Song.” Free. 7 p.m. No RSVP required. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.
Pine Forest, first subdivision of Dunwoody
Pine Forest subdivision was first developed in 1954 by builder and developer Herbert Bryan. He bought the land from Elizabeth and Manget Davis, who moved from Decatur to Dunwoody in 1936. The couple paid $8,000 for their home and 63 acres on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. They had driven out to the country from Decatur several times and happened on Calhoun Spruill when he was ready to sell. Spruill was born in Dunwoody in 1860 to James and Almeda Adams Spruill. He grew strawberries on his farm, sending them to market in Atlanta by way of the Roswell Railroad. The train passed in front of the home of Calhoun and his wife, Mary Copeland Spruill.
Elizabeth Davis was a teacher and principal at the Dunwoody School. Manget was a photographer with the Davison’s department store for 20 years. He was an active volunteer in Dunwoody, as a Sunday School teacher, church trustee, first president of the Dunwoody Community Club, charter member of the Dunwoody Lions Club. Manget and Elizabeth both volunteered at the polls of Shallowford District (Dunwoody) during elections.
THE INK PENN
The Davis family only sold a portion of their land to Herbert Bryan, keeping their home and surrounding property. Their home was where Dunwoody Commons is located today.
The streets of Pine Forest were Manget Way and Manget Court, both named for Manget Davis, and Nerine Circle named for Herbert Bryan’s wife. An article in the Dec. 12, 1954, Atlanta Journal announced, “Herbert Bryan opens third Pine Forest unit.” Bryan had been in the construction business since 1934. He also developed and built apartment homes and commercial buildings.
Manget Way was the newest street being cut in December 1954, bringing the total number of lots in the neighborhood to 101, according to the plan. The plan also called for Manget Way to extend from Chamblee Dunwoody Road to Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Eight families lived in the neighborhood in December 1954. The Atlanta Journal article describes Pine Forest as conveniently only 2 blocks from Dunwoody Elementary School and less than 3 miles from Sandy Springs.
Watts and Browning were engineers for the subdivision. Lots were developed with
a minimum of 100 feet frontage, and the houses were individually planned to fit the lots. Homes were priced from $18,000 to $30,000, each with at least three bedrooms and two baths.
Jane Anderson Autry and her husband bought one of the early homes on Nerine Circle in Pine Forest. They raised their family in the home. In 2018, I visited Jane and her siblings at the home, where they shared photographs and memories of growing up in Dunwoody.
By 1957, Marion Blackwell, Jr. of Adams-Cates Company advertised lots on Manget Way in the Atlanta Journal, “Several lots, 100 by 345, 150 by 300. Priced $2,500 to $3,500 in a neighborhood of homes averaging about $25,000.”
New homes have replaced many of the original homes of Pine Forest, a neighborhood that was the first of numerous subdivisions developed in Dunwoody.
If you have history to share about one of the early north DeKalb County or Sandy Springs neighborhoods, please email me so that history can be included in a future Past Tense column.
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.
An old favorite and a new-to-me author
Columnist
I enjoy mystery series, but I also like standalone novels. There are series I return to time and time again, and rather than binge-read them, I space out the books to savor them. This week’s selection features both—a new entry in Elly Griffiths’s DI Harbinder Kaur series and a debut adult novel by an author known for her young adult books.
“The Last Word” by Elly Griffiths This is book four in a loosely connected series by one of my favorite authors. You might ask how a series can be only loosely connected. I say that because the books are held together by the presence of DI Harbinder Kaur, now posted in London. In the early books, she’s in Shoreham, a community somewhere near Brighton. She may not always play a major role, but she
is present in the four books.
In this book, Griffiths has brought back several characters from the “Postscript Murders.” They have major roles in solving what else? A murder mystery, of course. You are bound to enjoy Edwin, an 84-year-old partner in a detective agency, whose specialty is surveillance. His partner Natalka also runs a personal care agency. This time around, the two are hired to investigate the death of a local writer. She died at home, but something is fishy about a writers’ weekend she attended before her death. What can go wrong at a writers’ weekend? With this group of quirky characters, plenty.
I particularly enjoyed the references to writing and the personalities of the writers. This is the second book I’ve read recently that involved writers and murder. I wonder whether I should be worried about the company I keep. I haven’t noticed any murderous tendencies among my writer friends, but most of us do write murder mysteries. I may be looking over my shoulder for the next little bit.
“Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera
This author has written several series for young adults, and this novel is her adult fiction debut. Consider the blurb: “What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn’t matter?”
We know the first two lines to be true going in. But what does the third line mean? That’s what the reader ultimately discovers, in addition to learning whether Lucy killed Savvy.
The story is told in first person years after the murder, when Lucy is outed by a true-crime podcaster. Also included are excerpts from the podcast — interviews with her then husband, her onetime friends, her grandmother and others.
Most of the people interviewed are convinced she did it. Lucy doesn’t know because she can’t remember what happened. Or, at least, that’s her story. She was never charged because the evidence was inconclusive, but no
one except her grandmother has any doubt that she did it.
This one kept me guessing until the very end. Did she do it? If so, was it self-defense? The two women were best friends. What could have made Lucy attack Savvy?
I thoroughly enjoyed the snappy dialogue, even if it was a bit raunchier than my usual read. “Listen for the Lie” is the title of the book and also of the podcast. Ben Owens, the podcaster, believes everyone has secrets. Does it also mean that everyone lies?
I highly recommend this as an intriguing read, and I’ll be on the lookout for the author’s next adult novel.
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/.
KATHY MANOS PENN
LYNNE BYRD COLLECTION/PROVIDED
Photo: The 1880 home of Calhoun and Mary Spruill and later, Manget and Elizabeth Davis, once sat on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, where Dunwoody Commons is located today. The adjoining land of Pine Forest was also owned by these families.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Why are my Knock Out roses dying?
When I moved to Atlanta in 2008 and was ready to beginning planting a new garden, I was so excited to find out that a new hybrid rose called the Knock Out rose that bloomed endlessly April through October, was disease resistant, and did not need the constant pampering that most roses require. Not only was I captivated by this colorful addition to my garden but so were thousands of other gardeners. In a short amount of time, Knock Out rose became one of the best-selling garden bushes at U.S. garden centers.
Last summer, I observed something very disturbing. Two, lush, highperforming rose bushes in the front landscaping at my daughter’s house had a disease. The stems were weird! They had an abundance of thorns, and the flowers were very misshapen and never totally opened. Last fall, hoping to rid the plants of the disease without digging them up, I cut back what appeared to be the diseased portion of the Knock Out rose bush, and I hoped for a miraculous recovery in the spring when new leaves and flowers would reappear. How disappointing to note that when spring arrived, the pruning was not successful. The new growth did not recover, and again the stems had numerous thorns and snarled, distorted flowers.
Now the question was what happened? My research led me to a disappointing conclusion. The roses were dying from a viral disease called Rose Rosette. Viral diseases, like the common cold, COVID-19 and measles, are contagious in both humans and plants. To attack the rose bush, the virus must have a point of entry. The vector or agent of transmission is the tiny eriophyid mite. These insects
CAC:
Continued from Page 4
The catchy tunes lifted spirits among patrons learning of their neighbors’ struggles, and the inspiration continued during the reception. The story of musical success in Jersey Boys sets the stage for the success stories of CAC, an organization that has helped more than 35,000 families
Stem with multiple thorns and red pigmented leaves of a Knock Out rose with Rosette Virus.
have sucking mouthparts allowing the mites to feed on the fluids in the rose bush and give the Rose Rosette virus access to the interior cells and tissues of a rose bush. Once the virus has entered the cells, the DNA is changed and the cells start to produce multiple short thorns along the stem, highly pigmented red leaves and misshapen flowers with petals that are twisted in such a way that they cannot fully open.
Because my fall pruning did not work, and there is no cure for this viral infection, as a last resort, I dug up the diseased rose bush including what I hope are its entire root system. I strongly suggest removing the entire root system and soil since they might contain mites. I also suggest not planting another Knock Out rose in the same location once you remove an infected rose.
If you live in a subdivision with a
in economic hardship since 1987.
The “Night of Hope” raised $11,000 from ticket sale proceeds to help fight food insecurity in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.
“We had a reception afterwards, and everyone was given a donation envelope,” Northrop said. “We’re hoping that number grows.”
Laura Deupree, marketing and communications director at the CAC, said the “Night of Hope” raises awareness with
community-wide landscape contractor, the Rose Rosette viral disease will unfortunately begin to affect every Knock Out rose in the entire community. To prevent transmission, take on the task of pruning your own rose bushes in the fall.
CAUTION: All pruning tools need to be sterilized with alcohol or beach to kill any mites and/or viruses on the pruning tools. Many gardeners and landscape contractors do not sterilize their tools after each bush or yard is pruned. As a result, the disease is likely to rapidly spread from rose bush to rose bush. To prevent contamination, I keep a packet of sterile wipes in my wheelbarrow so I can conveniently sterilize my pruning tools as I garden.
I would like to end this column with a tribute to the Knock-Out rose that has adorned many gardens in the U.S. with its beautiful and abundant
Perimeter residents who may have never heard of the Community Assistance Center.
“We find it really interesting to see new faces that are longtime Sandy Springs and Dunwoody residents who are just now discovering CAC, learning all that we do and wanting to get involved,” Deupree said. “Word of mouth is our best referral method.”
The nonprofit started as a joint effort of the Sandy Springs Ministerial Association and 10 local congregations.
About the Author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a Milton resident and Master Gardener since 2012. Carole describes herself as a born biologist. Since childhood, she loved to explore the out-ofdoors and garden with her mother. When she entered college, she selected biology as her major and made teaching high school biology her career for 35 years. Shortly after moving, she became involved with the philanthropic mission of the Assistance League of Atlanta (ALA), and in 2014, completed the Master Gardener program and joined the North Fulton Master Gardeners (NFMG) and the Milton Garden Club. Carole uses her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the NFMG Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau. She also volunteers weekly at the ALA thrift store and acts as chair of their Links to Education scholarship program. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking and reading.
flowers for the last 24 years. This rose was created by William Radler in 1989 and introduced to gardeners in 2000. Radler produced this cultivar by the meticulous and time-consuming process of crossing several rose cultivars. The new rose was instantly popular and was named an AllAmerican Rose Selection winner in 2000. Since then, more varieties have been created, including the Double Knock Out and Petite Knock Out roses as well as yellow, orange and dark and light pink roses.
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/.
Today, local congregations from 28 religious institutions in the two cities support the CAC and its work.
The show gave patrons of the Byers Theatre an opportunity to learn how they can help their community. Conversely, CAC volunteers discovered the state-of-theart Performing Arts Center.
“The Community Assistance Center works very hard to do what we do well, and so does the City Springs Theatre Company,” Deupree said.
CAROLE MACMULLAN Guest Columnist
CAROLE MACMULLAN/PROVIDED
Burnett:
Continued from Page 1
Burnett is senior vice president and area executive of SouthState’s Perimeter markets.
He also serves on the Board of the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, Sandy Springs Civic Fund and Special Olympics of Georgia.
Former Economic Development Manager Caroline Kinchler left the city in May and took a position with the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Communications Director Carter Long said Kinchler’s former position will be advertised in the coming months and report to Burnett.
The city says Burnett will implement its Strategic Economic Development Plan, facilitating initiatives, identifying targeted opportunities and securing funding for activities and programs.
The Strategic Economic Development Plan involved a months-long process with community stakeholders in 2020 and centered around a 10-year action plan.
City Manager Eden Freeman said the city is happy to welcome Burnett and his experience because it prioritizes revitalization projects like North End and City Springs Phase II.
“His experience in banking sets us apart from other Metro Atlanta destinations, and his long involvement with the Sandy Springs business community will ensure he can hit the ground running,” Freeman said.
DeSimone:
Continued from Page 3
Local law enforcement officers and one firefighter with the Sandy Springs Police Quick Response Force arrived in Milwaukee July 13 just hours after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Millholland said plans to assist with public order remain the same after the weekend’s events.
In 2012, the Quick Response Force traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to support local law enforcement during the Democratic National Convention.
The Quick Response Force’s webpage describes itself as a tier one public order team, which is trained to respond to active assailants and civil disturbances, which may include out of control protests, riots or sporting events.
As for the 2026 World Cup, Millholland said plans are still being developed.
Housing:
Continued from Page 1
“With housing affordability and affordable housing being at top of mind for an awful lot of folks in this community, we thought tonight would be a good opportunity,” Paul said.
In a memo, city staff said the report and presentation are informational only, and they will consider the results during the Comprehensive Plan’s 10-year update at the end of 2025.
City Attorney Dan Lee, City Manager Eden Freeman, Chief Financial Officer Toni Carlisle and Assistant City Manager Kristin Byars Smith signed off on the memo.
The investigation of homeownership in Sandy Springs focuses on young adults with families and first-time homebuyers.
Kaufman’s paper draws on data from the 2018 and 2022 American Community Survey and Home Mortgage Disclosure Act to examine where the city’s housing market sits. The federal survey, enacted by Congress in 1975, charts mortgage lending practices to protect consumers from predatory and discriminatory practices.
The data allowed Kaufman to analyze trends with homeowners and renters, housing costs and median price. At the same time, data for originations and denials of mortgage loans gives insight into homeowner characteristics, the different price points for age groups and signals any alarming trends.
While data from 2024 was not available to Kaufman during her research, a pre- and post-pandemic comparison helped point to where things are headed.
The city experienced a small population dip between 2018 and 2022, which Kaufman attributed to an increase of 6,055 owner-occupied residences and a decrease of 7,640 renter-occupied units.
Chandler:
Continued from Page 6
Chandler recently rebranded her floral design service, a sister company named SomeTheme In Bloom headed by her business partner Lauren Johnston. Chandler’s entry into wedding planning began with flowers, how she gained her passion for events. It happened by accident.
A friend at her church, the preacher’s wife, wanted her to design the arrangements for an International Women’s Day event. So, she went home and looked up everything she could possibly find on flower arranging, how to keep them fresh, and she practiced on bouquets from the grocery store.
At the same time, the median owneroccupied home price rose from $530,000 to $649,000 and the number of residents making more than $150,000 a year jumped 10 percent.
“It was just rising in tides with the rest of the greater area,” Kaufman said. “A quick thing to point out, 56 percent of renters with incomes between $50,000-$75,000 were cost burdened in the city.”
While Kaufman’s study does not focus on renting, she said the market makes it harder for younger people in lower income brackets to find affordable rent.
“As there’s more owner-occupied units in the city, there’s going to be wealthier residents in the city,” Kaufman said.
In 2018, residents ages 35-44 submitted the most mortgage loan applications. By 2022, residents ages 25-34 had applied the most.
The data looking at loan applications by age group bodes well for the goal of providing opportunities for younger home buyers, Kaufman said.
“People who were making less than $200,000 a year … they were having slightly more denials, she said. “Which makes sense, as the median home price is rising, it’s going to be difficult to originate a loan if you’re not making enough money for that property.”
An issue for young prospective homebuyers in Sandy Springs is that the median home value is around $150,000 more than someone making the median income in their age group can afford.
“It kind of makes logical sense,” Kaufman said. “As you’re trying to appeal to a younger group, you might have to have much more affordable homes compared to the median because of their salaries, what they can afford and qualify for.”
The strongest trend points to higher denial rates for those making less than $150,000 and lower denial rates for everyone making more.
Kaufman said she spoke with a Sandy Springs senior planner about existing
“When the event came around and I brought the flowers in, it looked like someone with 20 years of experience had done those flowers,” Chandler said. “I even surprised myself.”
Some rules of thumb are in-season flowers and no hydrangeas. Chandler often must redirect brides away from hydrangeas, a perennial, because they wilt within half an hour.
Another strong suggestion Chandler makes is to ensure the time on the invitation matches the start of the ceremony. Brides tend to accommodate their “time-challenged” guests, and Chandler said that’s a no-no.
Bridezillas are a special kind of fun for Chandler — witnessing the transformation of a client, who is not only nitpicky but rude, on her wedding day. It’s an emotional time, she noted, and
changes to land use and zoning, policy ideas and recommendations.
Some changes include allowing cottage courts, smaller lot sizes and town homes in some districts.
Kaufman advocated for expanding Residential Urban and Townhome districts near commercial areas to allow for a greater flexibility to provide “missing middle housing.”
“I know it can be challenging because there are such beautiful neighborhoods that you want to preserve the character of,” Kaufman said. “A lot of strategic thought has to go into which districts might be transitioned.”
Other ideas include conserving greenspace and adding density in subdivisions, as well as reducing minimum lot sizes to prevent teardowns from turning into McMansions.
When discussing long-term home affordability in Sandy Springs, Kaufman said the city could leverage federal funding and work with the state to boost its affordable housing stock.
The mayor and council complimented Kaufman’s research and presentation, then asked a series of questions about how to approach the housing issue.
The conversations covered the Community Development Department’s use of variances and whether more should be done to address the housing affordability issue for some residents.
“Throughout this process, I was thinking a lot about when cities have to make that sort of decision,” Kauffman said. “And how you can approach the problem from two different ways, but eventually you chose a certain stance.”
City Councilman Andy Bauman asked Kaufman if she formed an opinion about housing affordability in Sandy Springs, and whether the city should have the highest median home prices in Metro Atlanta.
Kaufman, acknowledging her position with an affordable housing developer, said there’s a level of affordable housing required to keep a city sustainable with all people needed for each of its industries.
it’s her job to bring relief. She trains her brides to let go of some of the control. If she is chosen as the wedding coordinator, an optional service, Chandler chooses to handle all the guests’ questions.
“They’ve spent a pretty penny on me, may as well use me,” Chandler said. Her services include a day-of emergency kit, a rolling cart stocked with duct tape, a steamer, toiletries, breath mints. A butler will also be on hand to assist, someone who really knows how to tie a tie.
Aside from blooms and the challenge that bridezillas bring, love keeps Chandler going.
“I just love love,” Chandler said. “I love seeing two people in love, all giddy on their wedding day, and you know, even though I was mad as all get out at my husband, still, deep down, I got to marry my best friend.”
Landscaping
This entry level hourly position is available now, averages 28 hours per week, and requires the ability to lift up to 75 pounds and work outside during the day.
NFCC have been serving individuals and families in the North Fulton area for 40+ years. Our Mission “To Ease Hardship and Foster Financial Stability in our Community”. We provide opportunities for the whole community to thrive. NFCC is committed to provide professional development and pathways for advancement to all members of the NFCC team. To view the complete job descriptions, please visit our website at https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/ If you wish to apply, please send your resume to mjallad@nfcchelp.org .
EEO Statement: NFCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NFCC does not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disabilities, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by the law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
