Sandy Springs Crier - October 5, 2023

Eatery transports guests on journey to Middle East

Broadway classic heads 6th season of theater troupe

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City Springs Theater Company announced “Fiddler on the Roof” will launch its sixth season in the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center Oct. 6.

The Broadway classic will run from Oct. 6-Oct. 22.

The performances will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, excluding Oct. 5. There will be two Saturday shows, the first at 2 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. Sundays’ shows will only be at 2 p.m., excluding the 8 p.m. Oct. 8 performance.

The production is led by the City Springs Theater Company Artistic Director and Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley.

The creative team behind “Fiddler on the Roof” also includes Marla Phelan, Miles Plant, Mike Wood, Anthony Narciso and Shay Holihan.

The company will use an original set design, produced in their Marietta shop, for the first time. The company plans to use the almost 10,000-squarefoot facility for design and production, as well as the location of the City Springs Theatre Conservatory’s location for its performing arts training programs.

The set designer, Jacob Olson, created the custom design to give audiences a new interpretation of the original 1964 Broadway production.

“It’s exciting to be working with

See THEATRE, Page 9

New lights fill shadows on Johnson Ferry Road

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs pulled the switch on more than 100 additional pedestrian lights along Johnson Ferry Road Sept. 28 with a ribbon cutting at the Abernathy Arts Center.

The project, 10 years in the mak-

ing, placed pedestrian lighting on both sides of Johnson Ferry Road, a major thoroughfare for residents in the eastern portion of the city.

Georgia Power, which was in charge of installation, hit delays because shale rock made drilling into the ground more difficult than anticipated.

See LIGHTS, Page 12

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul cuts the ribbon Sept. 28 at the Abernathy Arts Center, with the help of Councilwoman Melissa Mular, City Manager Eden Freeman and residents Cheryl Barlow and Shruti Hazra

PHOTOS BY HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPENMEDIA

A shepherd hook streetlight stands across from Abernathy Greenway Park North at Johnson Ferry and Brandon Mill roads.

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Each week Appen Media requests police incident reports to inform residents about the safety of their community. Sandy Springs continues to withhold what it calls the “narrative reports.” It is the only city Appen Media covers that follows this practice, which goes against guidance from the Attorney General, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and Georgia Press Association. Appen Media will continue pursuing the release of more detailed documents that belong to the public in order to inform residents how safe – or unsafe – their city is.

Appen Media and the Sandy Springs Crier filed a lawsuit against the City of Sandy Springs in May, alleging the newspaper has repeatedly been denied access to public documents. Since then, the news organization and the municipality have furnished materials, deposed witnesses

and met with Fulton County Superior Court officials. Appen Media has paid for the legal fight out of pocket while the city spends taxpayer dollars.

Check back here next week or online at appenmedia. com for updates on the case.

Dunwoody council expands Entertainment District

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council unanimously approved a measure to expand the Perimeter Center Entertainment District to include the Park Place shopping center at 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road.

The action, passed at the Sept. 26 City Council meeting, dovetails with the Park Place property owner’s plan to renovate and redesign the shopping center. It follows the submission of permits to begin renovations from property owner and developer, EDENS. The owner plans to offer tenants the option to provide to-go alcoholic beverages, an amenity not allowed outside the Entertainment District.

Michael Sard, an attorney representing EDENS, told the City Council Sept. 11 that courtyard redevelopment will attract new restaurants to Perimeter Center.

Councilman Joe Seconder, who raised concerns over pedestrian safety at that meeting, was absent for the Sept. 26 vote. Seconder questioned the lack of connectivity between Perimeter Mall and the Entertainment District as reflected in the redevelopment plans.

The proposed boundaries include the adjacent Bank of America property, also owned by EDENS.

The property owners have said the site is a potential target for a later expansion of the shopping center.

Stormwater projects approved

In other business at the Sept. 26 meeting, the City Council approved projects to repair stormwater drainage.

“I just want to clarify one thing before we vote, this seems like more stormwater projects than we would normally be approving at one meeting,” Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “Is this related to the ARPA funds?”

Stormwater Manager Carl Thomas clarified that two of the projects are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and the other three are general capital improvement projects, funded through the city’s annual budget.

The action items included approving a three-year contract with Triscapes Inc. for park and right-of-way maintenance. Parks and Recreation Director Brent Walker endorsed the contract after soliciting proposals from multiple contractors “to maintain the expanding park system and elevate our level of service,” according to city documents.

“I know Brent is not here, but we’re confident that the coverage we’re asking for is what we need with the current workload, and we will adjust as we move forward,” Mayor Deutsch said.

Another action item was an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation on the preliminary engineering phase of the Chamblee Dunwoody-Village Crossroads project.

In December 2022, the Atlanta Regional Commission awarded federal funding to the construction of bicycle

and pedestrian improvements in Dunwoody Village on Chamblee Dunwoody Road from Womack Road to Roberts Drive.

The City Council began discussing concepts for the project in January.

To receive $250 million for preliminary engineering and $6 million for construction from the federal government, the city is required to enter into an agreement with the GDOT to receive federal funds.

Councilmembers passed both items unanimously.

Long in the making

The idea for the Village Crossroads projects stems from the 2011 Dunwoody Village Master Plan, in which the city sought to redevelop the area to create a “true downtown.”

Dunwoody’s 2017 Transportation Plan included the plan for Village Crossroads and federal funds were received to begin developing the project’s concept, according to Public Works Director Michael Smith.

Smith said the preliminary engineering phase of the project encompasses everything leading up to the final plan for the Village Crossroads project.

“There will definitely be some lo-

cal, city money from SPLOST involved because with the federal money, the city has to provide a minimum 20 percent match,” Smith said.

Smith said the amount of local funding allocated to the project depends on the voter referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot to fund capital projects in whole or part by the issuance of general obligation bonds.

Because the project extends from Womach Road to Roberts Drive, Smith said the construction of the Village Crossroads project will most likely be constructed in multiple “manageable phases.”

After the final design is complete, the next steps will be right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation before construction can begin.

The Nov. 7 bond referendum will affect the timeline for the Village Crossroads improvements, Smith said.

“This is one of the projects that is being discussed as being a potential bond project, if the vote in November passes,” Smith said.

There will be a future public meeting to discuss details.

Residents can learn more at https:// www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/ projects/public-works/village-crossroads

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch and Councilwoman Stacey Harris listen to Public Works Director Michael Smith’s presentation on the Chamblee Dunwoody-Village Crossroads project at a City Council meeting Sept. 26.

Eatery transports guests on journey to Middle East

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — When Fares

Kargar opened Delbar on Old Milton Parkway, he envisioned a resort that would transport diners from the fares of Metro Atlanta to a world of Middle Eastern flavors.

Hailing from Iran, Kargar said he grew up loving food and began cooking out of necessity for his family. Now a Sandy Springs resident, Kargar relocated to the United States around 2007, but he never imagined himself in the restaurant business until his time as a student at Georgia State University.

“It was always a hobby, something I enjoyed doing a lot, but I never looked at it as a career until I came to the U.S.,” he said. “… my plan was always to go to architecture school and become a architect and build homes and businesses and that kind of thing. That's kind of what my family did, and my dad did.”

His first foray into the industry was a job as a busboy at Luciano’s on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. There, he worked his way up to assistant general manager, which inspired him to open his own restaurant.

The perfect location

In May 2020, Kargar opened his first Delbar location in Inman Park. The restaurant was successful, cementing a loyal clientele who would drive south to Atlanta from Alpharetta to dine there.

Recognizing the large demographic of Middle Easterners in Alpharetta, Kargar began pursuing his second location. He had seen the building on Old Milton Parkway while driving, a former Indian fusion restaurant, and identified it as the perfect location for Delbar.

“It is a huge building, standalone, very modern look, you know, the fountains up front,” he said. “There is a lot going on with the building, kind of gives me that kind of a resort vibe and resort feeling, rather than just a typical restaurant … and I wanted Delbar to have more of identity.”

Delbar celebrated its Alpharetta launch in May, and it now serves its North Fulton fans closer to home. Guests are welcomed to the restaurant by a complimentary valet service. Its outdoor entryway is adorned with arches of flowers, followed inside by an airy open floor plan, plentiful windows and subtle décor.

“The goal is for them to be transported,” Kargar said. “My goal is always at Delbar would be to transport people, to make them feel that they're

Delbar offers an adana bite, an adana kabob with zhoug and spicy tahina served on fresh taftoun bread, on its weekday lunch menu Sept. 22 at 4120 Old Milton Parkway. The adana bite is on Delbar’s mazze, or small bites, menu.

not in the city. They're on a leisure vacation, away from Atlanta.”

A taste of nostalgia

Kargar said he wanted Delbar to be unique among Persian restaurants. The menu is inspired by his native northern Iran, but also southeastern parts of the country, where he spent summers in his grandmother’s village.

“Each region of Iran has different

Delbar’s baklava ice cream includes a sticky, layered phyllo pastry with walnuts, pistachio and rose petals, served with soft Persian vanilla ice cream Sept. 22 at 4120 Old Milton Parkway. It is one of eight dishes on the restaurant’s dessert menu.

foods,” he said. “And there was so much food that gets neglected because everyone just is used to same idea of kabob and rice kind of scenario.”

Delbar has dinner, weekend lunch and brunch, dessert and weekday lunch menus. Its weekday lunch offerings include mazze, or small bites, and a list of spreads served with fresh taftoun bread.

Guests can also choose from

Delbar

welcomes guests with a complimentary valet service and an archway of flowers Sept. 22. Owner Fares Kargar hoped to make guests feel like they are on vacation at a resort when he opened the Alpharetta location in May.

If you go…

Delbar is open seven days a week at 4120 Old Milton Parkway, with varying hours for brunch, lunch and dinner. For menus and reservations, visit delbaratl.com/home-old-milton.

greens and grains, which include a variety of polo, a rice dish, salads, fries and beet carpaccio, or meats served a la carte.

The lunch menu also boasts a list of sandwiches, each served on homemade turmeric barbari bread.

“So, one of our staples is, the chinjeh is one that we can never take off the menu,” Kargar said. “That always stays on the menu.”

Each menu is crafted based on the demographics of the Delbar location. Guests at the Inman Park location preferred a Turkish-inspired breakfast, but he found Alpharetta clientele prefer staples such as kabobs and rice.

Kargar said sourcing quality ingredients is also a priority. Some of its cocktails are related to the season, and others are aimed at incorporating elements of Persian cuisine, such as barberries, sumac, cardamom and saffron.

“When it comes to food, it’s more of a story of my life, right,” he said. “The dishes you see on the menu are my favorite items that I’ve eaten, either back home, or when I lived in Turkey, or kind of moved across the U.S.”

Many of the dishes are those Kargar had cooked with his grandmother or meals his mother used to make.

But no matter the inspiration, the food at Delbar is crafted to create a feeling of nostalgia, aimed at giving a sense of feeling in each bite.

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

at 4120 Old Milton Parkway

Owner Fares Kargar greets guests behind the bar Sept. 22 at Delbar at 4120 Old Milton Parkway. The restaurant offers a cocktail menu inspired by Persian flavors, incorporating saffron, cardamom, sumac and barberries.

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

Dunwoody UMC hosts mental health advocate

DUNWOODY, Ga. – Dunwoody United Methodist Church will host William Moyers Oct. 12 as a part of the “One Lamb Initiative” to address mental health.

The event, “An Evening with William Moyers,” will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the church’s Sanctuary.

Moyers is the vice president of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, an addiction treatment and advocacy organization. He will speak about his best-selling memoir, “Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption.”

Name: Sweet & Sassy Alpharetta

Owners: Lisa & Zach Clark

Description: Want to give your child a day they’ll never forget? At Sweet & Sassy of Alpharetta, we deliver more than just awesome pedicures, haircuts, and birthday parties. We create experiences that make kids feel like the royalty they are. We offer a wide variety of services that will be truly unforgettable for your kid.

Opened: March 2023

Address: 12315 Crabapple Rd Suite 102, Alpharetta, Ga 30004

Phone: 678-404-7333

Website: sweetandsassy.com/alpharetta/

Business: CulVita Consulting LLC

Owner: Kavita Patel, MD

Description: CulVita Consulting is a virtual service helping individuals and families prevent and/ or manage diet-related diseases and ultimately reduce their risk of heart disease. The service empowers people to utilize food as medicine and make healthful eating simple, affordable and accessible.

Opened: June 2023

Address: Atlanta

Website: culvitaconsulting.com

Moyers’ best-selling memoir discusses his personal experience with addiction, the road to recovery and his personal journey of faith. He will share his story with the church community and how they can support recovery Thursday, Oct. 12.

The “One Lamb Initiative” was born in 2020 after members of Peachtree Road UMC noticed a need for support, connection and education for people struggling with mental health. During the COVID-19 pan -

demic, the group encouraged other faith organizations to open their own chapter.

For those interested in Moyers’ memoir, Dunwoody UMC will host a two-part, book study series on Oct.

PROVIDED

3 and Oct. 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information on the “One Lamb Initiative” and “An Evening with William Moyers,” visit https:// www.dunwoodyumc.org/onelamb/

Alpharetta Chamber to host inaugural business summit

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce will host the first Alpharetta Business Summit from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Alpharetta Conference Center at Avalon.

Chamber of Commerce staff said the summit will include two panels on marketing, sales and finance. It will also feature Jackson Healthcare President Shane Jackson, Innovative Outsourcing founder and CEO Cindi Filer and All for One founder Jeff Levitan as keynote speakers.

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said the summit reflects the city’s dedication to supporting its business community.

“By bringing together industry leaders like Jackson Healthcare and tailoring discussions to address the unique needs of small businesses, we are fostering an environment of growth, innovation and shared success,” Gilvin said.

The summit will begin with “Coffee and Commerce at the Summit” at 7:30 a.m. where light breakfast will be provided over networking. Sponsors and guest exhibitors will also provide business resources and information.

The event, which will be presented by Aprio, is a joint effort between the city, the Chamber of Commerce and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Those interested can register at AlpharettaChamber.com. Breakfast and lunch are included in the ticket price.

— Shelby Israel

C H A M B E R

At the Perimeter Chamber, we’re more than just an organization; we’re a community united by a common purpose. We stand shoulder to shoulder with businesses of every shape and size to advance economic prosperity, becaue

we understand that together, we achieve more. Join us today, and let’s craft a future filled with prosperity, growth, and boundless opportunities.

HEALTH, WELLNESS & INNOVATION 5K

What: Lace up your sneakers for the Johns Creek Health, Wellness & Innovation 5K and Wellness Fair, presented by Emory Johns Creek Hospital, at the newly opened Cauley Creek Park. Prizes and medals will be awarded.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 7-10 a.m.

Where: Cauley Creek Park, 7255 Bell Road, Johns Creek

More info: johnscreekga.gov

DUNWOODY FARMERS MARKET

What: Shop for fresh seasonal produce, honey, jams, desserts and other goods every Saturday through October.

There are also kids’ activities, wellness seminars, with tips for composting and gardening at the farmers market.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dhafarmersmarket.com

4TH ANNUAL ROSWELL MOTORING FESTIVAL

What: Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and free to the public, this event will feature rare cars, boats, bikes and more with vendors both automotive and art themed. There will also be Coffee Barista, snow cones, a photo booth and face painting.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell

More info: atlmotoringfest.org

CRABAPPLE FEST

What: Milton’s annual festival transforms Crabapple Road into a bustling market featuring more than 100 antique and art vendors, fair rides and food.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Crabapple Road, Milton

More info: miltonga.gov

‘THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE’

What: Based on Kate DiCamillo’s awardwinning novel, and adapted by Dwayne Hartford, the play takes the audience on an unexpected magical journey to discover the transformative powers of love, featuring a china rabbit named Edward Tulane.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.

HEALTH, WELLNESS & INNOVATION 5K

What: Lace up your sneakers for the Johns Creek Health, Wellness & Innovation 5K and Wellness Fair, presented by Emory Johns Creek Hospital, at the newly opened Cauley Creek Park. Prizes and medals will be awarded.

When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 7-10 a.m.

Where: Cauley Creek Park, 7255 Bell Road, Johns Creek

More info: johnscreekga.gov

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell

Cost: $12

More info: roswell365.com

‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’

What: Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, “Fiddler on the Roof” is set in the little village of Anatevka and centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing antiSemitism of Czarist Russia.

When: Oct. 6-22, times vary

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $42 to $130

More info: cityspringstheatre.com

THE PUNCHLINE COMEDY NIGHT

What: In this free recurring series, there will be family-friendly live comedy acts,

FEATURE YOUR EVENT ONLINE AND IN PRINT!

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appropriate for ages 13 and older. Bring chairs and blankets. No outside alcohol permitted.

When: Monday, Oct. 9, 7:30-9 p.m.

Where: The Green at Crabapple Market, 12650 Crabapple Road, Milton More info: crabapplemarketga.com

WIRE & WOOD

What: Enjoy live music from more than 30 performers at six outdoor stages through the streets of Downtown Alpharetta as local, regional and national artists perform original songs while interacting with the audience. Listeners will learn about the music, as artists share the stories behind their tunes at this free event.

When: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 13-14, 5-11 p.m.

Where: Downtown Alpharetta

More info: wireandwoodalpharetta.com

CUMMING COUNTRY FAIR & FESTIVAL

What: Fair food, amusement rides, concerts and ground acts are at the

easy

Cumming Fairgrounds. No pets, coolers or alcohol allowed.

When: Until Oct. 15, times vary

Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming Cost: $10 admission for ages 11 and older; free for ages 10 and under More info: cummingfair.squarespace. com

‘TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE’

What: Based on the book, this play is about Mitch, who catches Morrie’s appearance on a television show 16 years after graduation. He learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life.

When: Until Oct. 15, times vary

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: Adults are $28; students are $20; kids are $15

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org

There’s no stopping Bath & Kitchen Galleria

Brought to you by – Bath & Kitchen Galleria

After nearly a decade in Roswell, Bath and Kitchen Galleria has moved to a larger 10,000 SF showroom in Alpharetta. Owners, Bobbie Kohm and John Hogan, have expanded their business by tripling the size of the showroom to keep up with the amazing growth of the company. “North Atlanta has thousands of homes built in the 90’s and 2000’s and homeowners need a way to remodel their homes. They need a company that offers design assistance, has a large showroom, provides installation services, and does it all cost effectively, too”, says co-owner Bobbie Kohm, “… and that’s what we do.”

Bath & Kitchen Galleria, (formerly Remodeling Expo) has grown by more than 400% since 2018 and the company attributes this to one simple best practice, “listening to the customer”. Customers want cost effectiveness, projects completed on-time, and they demand quality design assistance. “So, we responded with exactly that”, says co-owner John Hogan, “in short, we’ve brought service excellence to an industry that is known for low service standards.

We’ve changed this and now we perform over 300 projects each year.”

Bath & Kitchen Galleria recently moved from Roswell to Alpharetta where they found a huge new showroom to show their amazing versatility: cost effective to fully custom bathrooms and kitchens, from $10,000 to $250,000, styles from farmhouse to traditional to transitional, project scopes from partial room update to fully rebuilt rooms. They have cabinetry, tiles, plumbing fixtures, countertops, shower glass, knobs and pulls, lighted mirrors, accessories and most importantly, remodeling consultants to help you. “We take the anxiety and pressure out of the process and make it fun” says Bobbie, “and that’s how it should be.”

John and Bobbie have built a great business that provides personal attention to every customer; because every home is different, and every homeowner is different. “I wish we could say that we have some secret widget; but our competitive advantage is pure “service excellence”. Bath and Kitchen Galleria (BathAndKitchenGalleria.com) is located at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta. 770-765- 6000. Open Weekdays and Saturday.

What our kids don’t – but should – know

It is sometimes hard to keep time – or history – in perspective.

impotent politicians whose only priority is to stay in office no matter what is the only world they know.

Why would they?

So, what is it that they do know?

Really?

RAY APPEN

Think about someone born after say, 1995 – anyone today 27 years old or younger – recently out of college, or in high school, junior high or elementary school. What have they not seen, not experienced, not witnessed that we have?

So, I am a boomer, born in 1954, which makes me 69, and that puts me in the boomer years but not by much. What does that mean, relative to those born in 1995 or later? What did they not have the benefit of experiencing that would have influenced their world view, their values, their priorities, their sensibilities?

Well, let’s start with the 900-pound elephant in the room today! These kids – that’s what I will call them –have never known a political system that worked. All they know is this polarized, zero sum, no compromise, no “let’s think of the country first” political landscape. They would have no idea what was meant if they heard “It’s not what your country can do for you; it’s what you can do for your country.” They would probably laugh. Who would blame them? They would be clueless. Chaos, polarization and

THE

INK PENN

They don’t know war, not really, even though our country has been at war continuously for the last 80 years – and generally not very successfully I am sorry to note. They certainly don’t know WW II, or Korea, or Vietnam –the close-to-home wars where everyone knew someone who died or was wounded. Of course, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and ISIS are probably on their radar, but for most, those places and situations are so distant – like not in their backyard.

They don’t know a country in chaos in the street opposing the war in Vietnam. They don’t know Mai Lai. They don’t know Kent State, the Weather Underground, the SDS, or who J. Edger Hoover or H. Rap Brown was. And they only vaguely know – if at all – the events of 1968: the assassinations, the long hot summer of riots, the rage, the madness, the sadness. It’s not there in their memory. It just isn’t.

They don’t know of a time or events that were worth fighting for – or dying for, or sacrificing for. They haven’t lost anything important and had to fight to get back. It’s hard to imagine that they appreciate – really understand and appreciate a “normal” status quo – the absence of really bad stuff going on.

And today, we expect them to vote?

They know so much about bad cops and they know more about race and all the baggage of race that permeates the world today. Race and law enforcement is top of their mind today. That’s just the way it has played out. And what are they supposed to think? All cops are bad or just a few rotten ones? All people who end up being killed or beaten by the cops deserve it or don’t?

And then there is rule of law. We who were born before 1995 know that the rule of law generally works – not all the time but most of the time –equal protection under the law. We know that the law is the law, and if you break the law and are caught, you will be punished. Yes, the rich and well connected all too often have a different set of laws, and so do the poor but for most of us in the middle, rule of law works relatively well.

For more than six years, all the kids hear from an ex-president and much of his party is that the entire system that is the core, the foundation for our society and our Democracy is corrupt, wrong and rigged. They hear this over and over and over. The Supreme Court is bad, the Justice Department and the FBI are all corrupt. The voting system is bogus. All the generals are incompetent. NATO is a failure. The CDC has no idea what they are talking about, and on and on.

And about a third of the country supports those ludicrous ideas. Can we have done a greater disservice to our kids or our collective future?

So, what exactly are our kids supposed to think? Upon what “history” are they going to base their decisions about the veracity of our core institutions? Facebook? Instagram? TikTok? Heaven help us.

I think if we could change anything surely it would be that politicians stop attacking all the institutions that hold our Democracy and our society together. Isn’t that doable? That would give our kids at least a chance to have confidence in who we are and where we can go as a country. It could give them the motivation and confidence to believe that their voice can be important and that it is heard, and that they have standing.

If you had asked me even 30 years ago if I could ever envision a time when the entire future of our country has been mortgaged by self-serving politicians without shame, honor or integrity, I would have thought you mad. But that is exactly where we find ourselves today.

What are our kids supposed to think? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller, Bueller?

Ray Appen is Publisher Emeritus of Appen Media. Email him at ray@appenmedia.com.

Two books for a trip across the pond

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

If you follow my columns, you know that I’m an Anglophile through and through, and that I have numerous British authors whose mystery series I follow. This week’s reviews cover a new-to-me author and an old favorite.

I discovered Martin Edwards as I was searching for books set in the Lake District in England. Whenever I travel, it’s my habit to prepare for my trip by reading books set in my destination, and Edwards’s Lake District mysteries fit the bill for the trip I took in July.

“The Coffin Trail” by Martin Edwards

I began with the very first in the series. Edwards’s descriptions of the area quickly transported me across the pond even before my flight. The characters drew me in. What would prompt a youngish and successful Oxford professor to give up the scholarly life and move to the remote Lake District?

The author reveals the backstory along the way rather than all at once, and I enjoyed the book as much for the evolving relationships and revelations as for the murder mystery at its heart. It was so intriguing that I’ve gone on to read the next two in the in the eightbook series — “The Cipher Garden” and “The Arsenic Labyrinth.”

I plan to space out the rest to make the enjoyment last.

“A Heart Full of Headstones”

by Ian Rankin

I’ve been reading Ian Rankins’s John Rebus series ever since I discovered it many years ago. This most recent installment finds Rebus retired from the police force in Edinburgh. He’s somewhat content with his dog, the visits from his daughter and granddaughter, and his friendship with Siobhan Clarke, who was once his partner on the force.

Typical of his restless nature, though, he can’t resist when he’s summoned by his nemesis, Gerry Cafferty. And so begins the tale that will see Rebus behind bars and on trial. That’s not a spoiler —it’s in the blurb for the book and it’s the opening scene.

It is a character arc that we fans

could have perhaps anticipated, and it’s fitting that Rebus reflects on his life throughout the story, the lines he’s crossed, the deserving criminals he’s put behind bars, and whether he’s followed the best path.

That makes two engrossing series with male leads — one relatively young, and the other older and worldweary. Of the two, the Rebus series is the darker one, but both are enjoyable.

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

Publisher Emeritus

Time to give credit where credit’s due

I believe in giving credit where its due.

A new reporter joined Appen last week. As part of his training I walked Hayden Sumlin through our local police dashboards.

to go cover a story.

They also bring our reporters in, enabling us to tell the real stories behind the badge.

CARL APPEN Director of Content and Development

“This is where you go to find out what is going on.” I pointed out how all cities use the same software, but only Roswell makes the report available on demand.

Every other city makes you jump through hoops to find out what happened next door. Some cities, like Sandy Springs, will even try to hide it all together.

Roswell makes it all available to the public, 24/7, without having to file any requests. You just type in the address and it will tell you what happened. I reiterate – this is the same software used by Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Alpharetta. Roswell, and likely Chief Conroy, are just the only ones who turned on the “make it easy for the public” button. They are aware that when it comes to physical safety, most folks don’t want to wait a week (or longer) for an answer.

There are times when a situation is particularly sensitive, though, and you have to ask the agency for more information. Enter Tim Lupo.

When I introduced Hayden to Officer Tim Lupo, I said he was a fantastic Police Information Officer and Hayden could go to him for anything related to public safety. I stand by it so much I think it’s worth publishing in this column.

Today Appen and Roswell Police have the relationship all cities should have with their local newsrooms.

Officer Lupo and his team are always fast to respond with information we need

In 2021 when a longtime murderer was brought to justice, Reporter Chamian Cruz dove deeper, interviewing the detectives who made it happen. She told the full story, one I argue is important for the public to know. Not just the arrest and mugshot, but the faces of the police personnel who had pursued the case for decades.

The relationship goes both ways. Last year when Roswell police were looking for a fugitive, they asked us to spread the word with our media partners up the East Coast. You better believe I sent it along to my whole contact list.

Last year, reporter Delaney Tarr noticed a string of suspicious arrests going on at area spas and asked Roswell police officials about it. We’re working on a big investigation, they said. Why don’t you come in, hear all about it and then we’ll keep you updated with our progress. It’s something most agencies say, but Roswell actually meant it. Fast forward to last week and Hayden brought it home, reporting a massive labor and sex trafficking bust spearheaded by Roswell police.

I don’t know Chief Conroy well. But I work with his staff and I see how the department operates.

So last week when Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said that Chief Conroy was one of the best police leaders in the state, I thought to myself, you know what, she might be right.

I am not writing this column because the Roswell Police Department just took down, in the chief’s words, “an extensive human trafficking and prostitution network,” executing 10 raids with 70 law enforcement personnel to cap a yearlong investigation. But I want to give credit where credit is due.

Support Local News

See

Theatre:

Continued from Page 1

a company primarily comprised of amazing local talent to bring this music theatre classic to life,” Hensley said. “‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is an amazing story of the strength and perseverance of a Jewish community, the power of the father/ daughter relationship and the challenges of navigating through the differences between generations brought about by long standing tradition.”

CSTC Executive Director Natalie DeLancey said she is excited to have Shuler directing because of his experience coordinating with the cast and production crew.

Shuler’s production stars Broadway’s

Jacob Fischel as Tevye and Atlanta’s own Courtney Collins as Yente.

The sixth season of “Broadway in Sandy Springs” will feature four more productions during the 2023-2024 season. Subscription packages are available for the PNC Bank Season, which concludes in August 2024.

“‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is tracking to be our fastest-selling show to date, and that excitement, coupled by the exciting visual concept for the show, are helping make this a memorable kick off to our sixth season of ‘Broadway in Sandy Springs,’” DeLancey said.

Tickets range from $37-$145 with discounts for seniors, students and military personnel.

Visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.com or call 404-477-4365 for more information on tickets, student matinees and the performance schedule.

OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

Finding Trahlyta’s legacy on a North Georgia roadside

Well, I walked out the door the other day, and what should greet me but a fluttering golden leaf drifting down out of the sky.

Us writer types can get prosaic and eloquent about such things. That’s fun sometimes. But what it mostly means is that it’s time to dig out the yard rake.

You do remember yard rakes, don’t you? Is that what they’re called these days? When I was young, they had springy metal tines, and I’d get it from the basement and then go out and rake the yard. I’d pile up all the leaves in a giant golden pyramid of fluffy fall goodness. I’d pile it higher and higher and higher and higher still until it seemed like it would reach all the way to the sun, or at least as far as the top of those pine trees over yonder. I’d back up a few paces and admire my handiwork. And then I’d get a running start and launch myself skyward, and I would crash-land into the pile, sending golden streamers flying everywhere. And I’d laugh as I landed, and then I’d wiggle in the leaves for a while until they swallowed me whole.

Then I’d extract myself and hunt down the yard rake and resweep the yard, and I’d do it all again and again until it was time for supper.

Youth was wonderful, wasn’t it? So were yard rakes. Mulching mowers are no doubt a lot more efficient, but yard rakes and piles of leaves are a lot more fun.

And that makes me wonder: do we humans have an innate predisposition to put things in piles?

Maybe so, and all sorts of things: unopened bills, dirty socks, brightly wrapped presents beneath an ornate December tree.

Piles of things.

Piles of stones.

Stones? Well, yes, for another thing that fall means is trips to the mountains to see leaves. And every time I go leaf-looking I seem to pass by this one certain place, a little spot at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Georgia 60. It’s the time-honored site of a pile of stones, an ever-growing pyramid of rocks and cobbles that is certainly the stuff of legends…hopelessly romantic legends…in particular, the Legend of Stonepile Gap.

According to the historic marker at the site, the stonepile marks the grave of a Cherokee princess named Trahlyta. Her tribe, it is said, lived on nearby Cedar Mountain.

Anyway, it seems that Trahlyta’s tribe somehow knew the secret of a magic spring of eternal youth, a spring which burbled to the surface somewhere up on Cedar Mountain. They had learned this delightful tidbit from the Witch of Cedar Mountain, and they guarded it closely.

Trahlyta was exceptionally beautiful (that’s often the case with legendary princesses) and drew the attention of a Cherokee warrior named Wahsega. But she wasn’t impressed and rejected his romantic overtures. That kind of thing happens a lot in legends, too.

Poor Wahsega wasn’t too happy about getting the cold shoulder, however, so he kidnapped Trahlyta and took her to (you guessed it) a “place far away.”

But uh-oh. Now relocated to a land far from home, Trahlyta was cut off from the spring of eternal youth So she began to age, just like all the rest of us.

Years passed. Trahlyta grew old. And one day, on the day she lay dying, she got Wahsega to promise to bury her near her home on Cedar Mountain, near the magical spring of her youth.

Wahsega was true to his word, and the pile of stones you see there today is said to mark her final resting place.

In the years after Trahlyta’s death, a custom developed in the land. People passing near the grave began to drop stones on the site – one stone for each person who passed that way. To do so, it was said, would bring good luck, presumably in all things but especially (some say) in love.

Now you know.

How has the stonepile survived for so long? You’d think no one in his right mind would mess with anything that promised luck in life and in love. But over the years, it’s said, there were indeed efforts to move the pile of stones. However, those efforts came to a bad end every time (that happens a lot in legends too), and folks eventually got the message. And so the pile of stones remains right there, right where the two roads meet.

And now I’m back, standing in a creek, a fly rod in one hand and a small stone in the other. I picked up the stone from the creek bed, and on my way home I’ll stop and add it to the pile.

When I return later on, I know that she will be interested in this, so I will tell her the story over supper at the Waffle House or somewhere. And then:

“Did you drop a stone on the pile?” she will ask. I know that she will. And she will add, “Are you lucky in all things?”

“Yes, I did,” I will say. “I did place a stone on the pile. And yes I am.”

But that’ll come later. Right now, I imagine that maybe the very creek I am standing in is fed by the magical spring, the one that gives eternal youth, the one near the stonepile that makes one lucky in life and in love, the one that makes everything perpetually brand new.

So…should I?

I like the notion that some of the spring’s water has flowed down the mountain and made its way into the very stream where I am fishing. I like that.

So why not?

It couldn’t hurt anything, and nobody is looking.

I dip my hand into the cool, cool stream and lift it to my lips.

Just a sip. Just one.

STEVE HUDSON

Columnist

STEVE HUDSON/ PROVIDED

Lights:

Continued from Page 1

“You couldn’t really use a machine to go under because of all the utilities, so they had to go down there and dig by hand,” Assistant Communications Director Dan Coffer said.

Construction underground wrapped up in June, and installation was completed over the remaining summer months.

The lights come in two designs, a shepherd-hook for crosswalks and straight posts along the sidewalk, Public Safety Director Marty Martin said.

Martin joined Mayor Rusty Paul, City Manager Eden Freeman and Councilwoman Melisa Mular cut the ribbon at the Abernathy Arts Center on Johnson Ferry Road.

Councilwoman Mular’s district will now be able to enjoy well-lit sidewalks from Brandon Mill Road to the Chattahoochee River.

“This is one of my first communitysponsored projects, so behind the scenes I worked with the Council of Neighborhoods,” Mular said.

The neighborhoods surrounding Johnson Ferry Road made a strong effort to petition the mayor and the City Council to make street lighting a priority project in their district, she said.

“There’s history here, they thought they were going to get them with the Greenway Project,” Mular said.

The heavy lifting on the project came from residents in the area, after the original plan to extend the lights past

DEATH NOTICES

Joanna Addison, 64, of Milton, passed away on Sept. 22, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Elizabeth Boyd, 77, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 15, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

George Brink, 70, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 10, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Otis Burger, 85, of Woodstock, passed away on Sept. 11, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Abernathy Greenway Park North to the Chattahoochee River came up short over a decade ago.

Now, the pedestrian lights stop at the Fulton County line with Cobb County.

The intention behind the lights is to make it safer for pedestrians walking to local parks and neighborhoods.

The sidewalks see lots of pedestrian because of proximity to Abernathy Greenway Park North, City Springs and other amenities on Johnson Ferry Road

“The neighborhood’s really excited because it improves safety and pedestrian mobility,” Mular said.

The city put in a gateway sign, welcoming people to Sandy Springs, where the street lights begin at the Chattahoochee River. Across the river in Cobb County, the lack of green streetlights is noticeable to anyone crossing the river on Johnson Ferry Road.

“It’s great, because this is really symbolic of what’s important about Sandy Springs, which is our neighborhoods,” Mayor Paul said.

While the project was not the most expensive, the mayor said, it’s still meaningful to residents.

Outages can be reported on Georgia Power’s website.

Residents present at the ribbon cutting repeatedly thanked Councilwoman Mular for her efforts to ensure the streetlights on Johnson ferry Road were installed as originally planned.

“Melisa Mular was incredible to work with, very helpful, extremely supportive and understood why we wanted them,” Woodcliff resident Joe Fitzgerald said. “This would’ve never happened without her support.”

Michelle Campbell, 51, of Milton, passed away on Sept. 17, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Albert Cunningham, 68, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 13, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

James Dwiggins, 88, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 16, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Debra Eikey, 67, of Roswell, passed away on Sept. 24, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Burton Hammond, 94, of Alpharetta, passed away on Sept. 8, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Irene Hopper, 93, of Marietta, passed away on Sept. 18, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Richard Mumford, 62, of Cumming, passed away on Sept. 12, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Karen Owen, 64, of Milton, passed away on Sept. 14, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Holly Persyn, 92, of Cumming, passed away on Sept. 7, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPENMEDIA

The gateway to Sandy Springs sign on Riverside Drive at the Cobb County line now sports a fancy streetlight to bring the message home at night.

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

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

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