Sandy Springs Crier - December 29, 2022

Clockwise from top left: Alvaro Carta Suarez and Claudia Marquez stand at the bar of their Azucar Cuban Café in Sandy Springs in November; Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, flanked by Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry, left, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, speaks at an Oct. 17 press conference on sales tax negotiations at the Fulton County Civic Center: officials host a ribbon cutting for the city’s busiest fire station Oct. 20; and Santa pays a visit to City Springs Dec.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

CHAMAIN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

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SANDY SPRINGS POLICE REPORTS

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” of open cases. It is the only city Appen Media covers that does this. Without that information, The Crier is unable to report on crime in the city.

The city’s position is in conflict with guidance from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Department of Law, Georgia Press Association and other organizations.

Here are a few public safety items that have limited details:

On Dec. 11, a Sandy Springs police officer responded to a person shot at Cimarron Parkway. The report states the crime as “person dead” and lists a 20-year-old man as the victim. Two people are listed as suspects, with an additional person who reported the incident and another individual who is involved in an unknown capacity. There is no other information given about the shooting.

On Dec. 8, a Sandy Springs police officer responded to a burglary that had just occurred on Burdette Road. The report says that the incident occurred at a single-family residence and lists a suspect but does not give any information on the nature of the break-in or items stolen.

On Dec. 10, Sandy Springs police arrested a 36-year-old Sandy Springs man for reckless conduct. Police responded to a discharged firearms call near Birchmore Drive and Hannover Park Road, but no information is given about the incident itself. Police also confiscated a gun and accessories as evidence.

Appen Media will continue to pursue the release of full incident reports, which it believes are subject to release under the Open Records Act.

A recent incident report from the Sandy Springs Police Department offers scant details about “a person shot.” The document is coded “Person Dead” and includes the name of a 20-year-old victim. It lists two “suspects,” both aged 22, but does not say if they were arrested or on what charges. It also includes the names of two other 20-year-olds and does not specify whether they were bystanders, victims or suspects. The report does not identify any police officers who responded to the scene or were involved with the incident.

CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS/PROVIDED

Sandy Springs looks forward to opportunities, challenges

As we move into 2023, the city is accelerating plans to extend the City Springs campus south across Mt. Vernon Highway to Hildebrand and in the triangle fronting Roswell Road. We have acquired the needed property and completed a conceptual plan for a hotel, more shops, restaurants, greenspace (including a Veterans Park), and residential options with an emphasis on ownership over rental.

City Springs’ success has drawn strong interest, so several aspiring partners are vying to produce City Springs 2.0, and early in 2023 we will winnow the proposer list to six potential partners to produce more detailed plans. We plan a final selection after public vetting in the first quarter of 2023.

The goal is to expand City Springs’s walkable, family-friendly environment and continue the steady redevelopment of our downtown.

The inflation roiling the general economy is drastically impacting citysponsored construction. For example, one project estimated to cost around $6 million a year ago is now projected at $8 million, and if delayed until late 2023 will likely cost at least $9 million—a 50 percent increase in two years!

This phenomenon impacts all construction categories – roads, parks, storm sewers, buildings and sidewalks. In 2023, we may be forced to jettison projects, reduce their scope, delay them hoping prices moderate or find other ways to deliver capital projects at less cost.

While we face complications and increasing costs, simply stopping and trusting things are better next year is

not acceptable either.

We are pushing forward infrastructure projects funded both by TSPLOST and our capital program, though rising costs may entail some adjustments and a little more inconvenience. Same for our new public safety headquarters.

The Veterans Park across from City Springs begins final construction in a matter of days with an expected November 2023 opening. Clearly, GDOT’s work on Ga. 400 and 285 is moving forward producing new, complex and confusing mobility difficulties.

After 50-years, we are finally in significant discussions with the City of Atlanta about our water system, so thanks to Mayor Dickens and his team for taking our concerns seriously and exploring solutions. Where we end up, time will tell. Yet, these are the first constructive conversations with Atlanta on this issue, and we hope 2023 brings a solution.

In 2022, we had grueling negotiations with Fulton County over Local Option Sales Tax revenues, a once-a-decade resource discussion. The city’s fiscal impact is minimal in the early years, but we benefit less from growth in the out-years, a real concern in high inflationary times. Next, we negotiate the service delivery strategy where we decide what services our citizens can expect as the county’s portion grows.

We closed 2022 as one of only six Georgia cities with a Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s AAA bond rating, which means our financial credentials are gold plated, a great distinction for our community.

As we face 2023, our challenges are great, but our opportunities are greater. Our goal remains to make Sandy Springs the model others look to for effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of life.

RUSTY PAUL Sandy Springs Mayor

Sandy Springs’ Pontoon Brewing pours laid-back craft beverages

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Craft beer can often be seen as pretentious, snooty and unapproachable.

And it’s no wonder why – how is a normal person supposed to know the differences between an IPA, Double IPA and a Hazy IPA, or what the term “barrel aged” could possibly mean in the context of taste and flavor?

But according to Pontoon Brewing CoFounder and CEO Sean O’Keefe, enjoying well-made craft beer should be as a day spent floating on the lake. And with the right help, anyone can find a beer that’s right for them.

At Pontoon Brewing, whether you’re a complete beer novice or a certified brewmaster, O’Keefe said you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy a good beer, in a relaxed environment.

SUPPORT LOCAL

“Craft beer is oftentimes thought of in this pretentious way … So, we wanted to have this laid-back approach, because it allows us to be more approachable,” O’Keefe said.

Pontoon Brewing opened in Sandy

Springs in 2017 after years of homebrewing by the business’s four founders, O’Keefe, Marcus Powers, Eric Lemus and Eddie Sarrine, who met at the University of Florida and became friends over a shared love of craft beer.

But O’Keefe said their dream really took off around 2013, when they thought it might be fun to put their recipes to the test by venturing into the world of contract brewing, where a commercial brewery makes batches of beer using the recipes of small brewers.

When their contract brewing venture turned into a success in 2015, O’Keefe and Powers knew it was time to buckle down and bring their beer to the world. O’Keefe said they took a huge risk, and he personally turned down several job opportunities to focus on the brewery and the dream of making it real.

“When Marcus and I moved to Georgia and decided to take on full time, then we started brewing like every weekend, for about two years,” he said. “It was a big risk.”

But as risky as it was, Pontoon’s founders came to the Atlanta area at the exact right time when the local beer

scene, especially the world of homebrewing, was making big waves, as Georgia prepared to change it’s brewery laws.

O’Keefe said that when they first came to Atlanta, Georgia still had restrictive laws that didn’t allow breweries to sell beer directly to customers, which he said stifled innovation in the craft beer market.

He said that without the ability to sell beer directly to people, breweries had less of an incentive to try new things and take risks on strange-sounding recipes.

The proof for that, he said, was seen in the months leading up to when Georgia’s brewery laws were changed, when homebrewers and professional breweries went into overdrive and started tinkering with many of the beers that are popular today.

“What you saw was people homebrewing and making a lot of beers that exist now, the big crazy overly hot New England IPAs and the big, overly fruited sours and the barrel aged beer thing,” he said.

“You started seeing breweries put out higher class beer, barrel aged beers, you know, bigger IPAs with more hops in it.”

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Located off Dunwoody Place in Sandy Springs, Pontoon Brewing has been entertaining the north Fulton County community with laid-back craft brews since 2017.

Brews:

from Page 5

“You’re starting to see that now in the market, because people can put a price tag on it and people will pay.”

Pontoon finally found its permanent home in Sandy Springs in 2018 after a ton of hard work by O’Keefe and his team. And while it wasn’t exactly where they initially expected to be located, he said that locating the brewery in Sandy Springs turned into one of the best decisions they made.

“The plan for Pontoon was never to be where we are right now,” he said. “So, it’s been cool to prove our projections wrong and to have this awesome program that was supported by the City of Sandy Springs.”

As the first brewery in Sandy Springs, O’Keefe and his team had to help the city rewrite its laws to make sure that they reflected state laws regarding breweries, and after that process, they found they had made a true partner out of city leaders.

“It’s been a symbiotic relationship since then,” he said.

Being the city’s first brewery, Pontoon Brewing was also able to lay groundwork for what “Sandy Springs beer” is, cultivating a personality and following that

O’Keefe and his team hope will inspire others. Just like they were inspired by Monday Night Brewing in Atlanta and Creature Comforts Brewing in Athens.

Recently, Pontoon Brewing opened a new location, The Lodge in Tucker, that O’Keefe said was the product of years of blood, sweat and hard work. Right now, customers can visit the location’s new taproom, and in the coming years, the brewery will move all of its production to the larger Tucker location.

But no matter where they’re located, or how busy they get, O’Keefe said Pon-

toon Brewing will always hold onto its love of trying new things and the idea there’s a beer out there for everyone.

“My favorite thing is when people come in, like family members or friends and are like, ‘So happy for you, I’m just not a big beer person,’” he said. “Every single time, I’m like, alright bet. Let’s find you a beer that you like.”

To find a Pontoon Brewing beer you might like, visit their Sandy Springs Taproom at 8601 Dunwoody Place or their new location at 4720 Stone Drive in Tucker.

PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING & SERVICES

PALS is pleased to announced its Winer 2023 Program lineup. Classes will run on Mondays from January 9 –March 6 at the Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mt Vernon Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338. Registration is online at www.palsinline.info.

The class line up is as follows:

MONDAYS:

From 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Spies, Saboteurs and Rescuers During World War II Dan O’Lone will present a fascinating look at double and even triple agents who played key roles in saving thousands of Allied lives during World War II. He will also continue with his unique take on those who rescued Jews during the War, including sewer cleaners, zookeepers, circus performers and German soldiers, as well as the man who stopped the trains to Auschwitz, a diplomat from a country that he had never been to.

From 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Andrew Jackson and His Indian Wars

Tom McElhinny will continue his series on Native Americans, this time dealing with Andrew Jackson’s presidency and his Indian wars from his first battles with the Cherokee and Creek nations until the establishment of the Indian Territory in Oklahoma. The most infamous outcome of Jackson’s relentless exploits at Indian removal culminated with one of the greatest forced migrations in history-the Trail of Tears. It is a sobering reminder of a violent and dark episode in our nation’s history.

From 10:00 am - 1:45 pm

Mah Jongg

Bring your own Mah Jongg card and come play. There is no instructor for the session- just fun and self-evaluation.

From 10:00 am - 1:45 pm

Open Bridge for Experienced Players

There is no instructor for this weekly session – just fun and self-evaluation.

From 11:15 am - 12:15 pm

A History of the Space Race

John Baumbusch will take us through the history of how we got to the Moon more than 50 years ago. He will discuss moon lore, the Cold War, Russians and the Right Stuff!

Through this series, we will re-live the heady days of the Space Race from the 1950s to the 1970s.

From 11:15 am - 12:15 pm

The Economic Implications of Immigration

Shai Robkin will discuss how immigration is a misunderstood topic in America’s social discourse, with much of what we believe is based largely on myth. He will compare the experiences of immigrants from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to those of immigrants today, and how immigrants and their children compare educationally, professionally and economically with US born citizens and discuss the policy implications of what we find.

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

As the first brewery in Sandy Springs, the team at Pontoon Brewing had to work closely with city leaders to ensure local brewery rules reflected updated state laws. After going through that process, Pontoon Brewing formed a true partnership with their city, founders said.

Founders of Sandy Springs-based Pontoon Brewing say their beer is perfect for all types of drinkers, even people who don’t typically like beer.

Nonprofit director marvels at heightened charity

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga.—In November, North Fulton Community Charities welcomed Sandra Holiday as the nonprofit’s new executive director, where she dove into the nonprofit’s several seasonal events.

Holiday came from Atlanta Children’s Shelter, where she worked as executive director for 13 years. She’s spent over 25 years in the field of advocacy.

Holiday said she enjoyed the work she did at the urban core of Atlanta but wanted to help people before they struggled with homelessness.

“I wanted to get into prevention, poverty prevention, hunger prevention,” Holiday said.

NFCC serves more than 8,500 individuals each year with emergency financial assistance, food assistance, life skills & workforce readiness classes and holiday programs.

Holiday joined NFCC at the onset of multiple seasonal programs, including Giving Tuesday, a worldwide event that encourages people to donate time and money to charities the day after Thanksgiving.

She also joined weeks before the start of NFCC’s Toyland Shop, where people donate new, unwrapped toys for families to “shop” for gifts.

Holiday said she was shocked by the turnout for this year’s Toyland, especially given high price tags that are impacting most Americans.

“Whether you’re a single person, a parent, a five-person family, a recent college graduate, everybody is feeling that current climate,” Holiday said. “Food prices go up for everybody. The cost of goods goes up for everybody.

In September, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that food costs had spiked 11.4 percent in the past year, and people nationwide face rising inflation.

“I can tell you I was quite surprised by the level of giving from the community,” Holiday said.

In her few weeks on the job, Holiday said she’s learned that despite rising costs, people are still able to step up for families in need.

NFCC has multiple programs that are “high barrier,” in which people must show proof of financial hardship to participate, like financial assistance classes or long-term programs.

They serve the most people, though, through the food pantry and thrift store across the street from their office. The food pantry is what Holiday calls “low barrier,” where all someone must do is prove they live in the area.

“People are going through hardship, you don’t have to give them more barri-

ers,” Holiday said.

LOCAL NEWS

People in need simply visit the food pantry, where they type their grocery lists on a kiosk. The list is sent to the stock room, where volunteers fill a shopping cart with their requests.

On average, the pantry serves 200 people a day.

The stock room is packed with donations from major grocery stores like Publix and Whole Foods and is staffed by many long-term volunteers. Holiday said the volunteers trained her in how to work the pantry.

The thrift store is connected to the food pantry, and it’s open to the public.

Marten Jallad, NFCC thrift store director, said the charitability from the programs and pantry carry over to the store. The store receives more than 100 donations a day, enough to keep the shelves filled.

“A donation could be a bag of items, or it could be a U-Haul,” Jallad said.

Some donations come from stores. There are bins of new Walmart blankets next to stacks of unworn Target clothing mixed in with personal donations.

“It’s amazing throughout the year how much stuff we get,” Jallad said. “We’re able to present quality items at such an affordable price for people.”

Jallad said Holiday arrived just in time to see the seasonal operation in full swing, and he thinks she appreciates the drive and energy.

“She’s come in with an attitude of let me learn and let me see, while she has plenty of ideas, she’ll be able to share and implement,” Jallad said.

Holiday said her time at NFCC so far

has been a whirlwind, but a good one. She’s watched the holiday events and sat in on English as a Second Language classes, and even attended a class graduation ceremony.

While she’s still learning and observing, Holiday has started working out her goals for the future of the charity. Economic stability and events are key, but Holiday wants to spotlight mental health and dismantling stigmas in the coming year.

“I think, for as many people that have the courage to come to our food pantry and our thrift shop and come here and ask for emergency assistance with rent or mortgage, there’s probably three more people that don’t,” Holiday said. “And that’s really critical.”

Holiday hopes to destigmatize the need for help in North Fulton, especially as rent and food costs continue to rise.

“You don’t know when you’ll be in need,” Holiday said. “It’s important that as a community we remain aware and open-minded”

Holiday said North Fulton has an “out of sight, out of mind” perception that creates a stigma. It’s the responsibility of her organization to educate the community that people in need are their neighbors, not strangers.

As executive director, Holiday said she sees herself as a link between the community and North Fulton Community Charities.

“I really see myself as this conduit of maybe a better understanding of a more open mindset, just a conduit, where all these great things can flow in between,” Holiday said.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Sandra Holiday stands outside of the North Fulton Community Charities offices on Dec. 19 in the middle of the big season drive to deliver hope to the needy. Holiday joined the organization as executive director in November.

CALENDAR

STUDIO SERIES: GLENN PHILLIPS BAND

What: Admired by Frank Zappa and R.E.M. alike, Glenn Phillips’s guitar skills have brought him a long way from the local Hampton Grease Band. He has played with everyone from Bo Diddley to Talking Heads. His music defies classification and is widely praised for its emotional impact.

When: Thursday, Dec. 29, 8 p.m.

Where: Studio Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs Cost: Tickets start at $20 More info: sandyspringsga.gov

JUST FOR FUN:

NEW YEAR’S EVE SWINGIN’ PARTY WITH JOE GRANSDEN & FRANCINE REED

What: Georgia Music Hall of Famer Francine Reed is back, and she’s on Byers Theatre stage with big-band leader and Sandy Springs native Joe Gransden. On New Year’s Eve, they’ll have you swinging into the new year with holiday favorites, along with Gransden’s 16-piece band. There’s an after-party in the Studio Theatre with dancing and other entertainment, light bites and desserts, and a toast at midnight.

When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: Tickets start at $40; For the after-party, tickets start at $55 More info: sandyspringsga.gov

NEW YEARS EVE AT GATE CITY

What: Head to Gate City for food, friends and fun to say goodbye to 2022. Gate City will be partying with 18 beers on tap and seasonal craft cocktails. DJ Bryan Dale will be playing from 9pm-1am. Frybaby ATL will be on site from 2-8pm.

When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 12pm - 1 a.m.

Where: Gate City, 43 Magnolia Street, Roswell

More info: gatecitybrewingcompany. com

ANGEL BAR CHRISTMAS POP-UP

What: The FTE Christmas Pop-up Bar spreads holiday cheer and plenty of booze in the form of yuletide-themed cocktails. Adorned with an explosion of tinsel, ribbon, and countless other Christmas touches, our bar is dedicated to celebrating in the spirit of the holidays. Please wear your ugly/ tacky Christmas sweaters or outfits. Bring the family and celebrate like the Griswold’s.

When: Up to Dec. 31, times vary

Where: From the Earth, 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell

More info: ftebrewing.com

ENCHANTED WOODLAND TRAIL

What: The fairies and gnomes have been busy building whimsical houses along Chattahoochee Nature Center’s forested trails. Slow down as you search for houses made from tiny natural objects. Take notice of the beautiful and enchanting features of the winter woods.

When: Up to Feb. 28, open daily except for December 24-26 and January 1-3

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell Cost: $15 for adults

More info: chattnaturecenter.org

ANSLEY STUART TRIO

What: Ansley Stuart Trio will perform at Ray’s on the River, which has live music Thursdays through Saturdays in the lounge.

When: Thursday, Dec. 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.12:30 a.m.

Where: Ray’s on the River, 6700 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Sandy Springs More info: raysrestaurants.com

BAND X AT HOUCK’S

What: Bring in the New Year a day early with Band X, a party band playing hits from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and current favorites.

When: Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.

Where: Houck’s Grille, 10930 Crabapple Road B130, Roswell Cost: Cover charge $15 More info: houcksgrille.com

MIKE VEAL BAND

What: The Mike Veal Band plays a combination of blues, rock and funk. Diverse musical backgrounds and regional influences color each member’s contribution to the tight sound for which the band is loved.

When: Friday, Dec. 30, 9:30 p.m.

Where: Rock ‘N’ Taco, 928 Canton Street, Roswell More info: rockntaco.com

Sandy Springs #1 Kitchen

Fulton County officials begin 2022 LOST negotiations with a recommendation that would have given 35 percent of revenues to the county and 65 percent to the 15 cities. City leaders immediately opposed the proposal saying the county’s pitch was unacceptable.

SEPT 23

SEPT 21

Mayors of eight Fulton County cities meet with residents at a public information session at Roswell City Hall. During the meeting, city leaders rallied the 100 residents to contact their county commissioners.

SEPT 28

County and city leaders meet at the Georgia Municipal Association in Atlanta for a scheduled negotiation session. Proceedings were held separately after county leaders refused to hold a public discussion over LOST.

Fulton County, cities squabble over local sales tax distribution

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — It wasn’t easy or quick, but Fulton County officials and city representatives finally came to a compromise over distribution of the countywide local option sales tax, which is expected to generate $3 billion over the next 10 years

And like every good compromise, by the time county and city negotiators had signed their agreement at a ceremony on Dec. 15, no one was particularly happy with the outcome.

The LOST one-penny sales tax is used by local governments to fund services like public safety, parks and recreation and libraries, and by county governments to fund state-mandated services like county courts, jails, health departments and elections.

foot by suggesting the return of a pre-2000 distribution in which Fulton County would receive 35 percent of the tax revenues, leaving the cities to split the remaining 65 percent. The proposal represented a 700 percent increase in the county’s share, which had been set at 4.95 percent over the past 10 years.

The county’s opening stance sparked outrage among city leaders who claimed such a split would cause immediate and lasting damage to the cities.

“That’s millions of dollars that we’ll either have to cut services, which I don’t see us doing, or increase property taxes,” Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said at the time. “I mean, that would be a third of the revenue that’s generated by the sales tax. And the sales tax is critical, especially in a city like Alpharetta.”

Mayors of 11 Fulton County cities gather for a second town hall meeting with south Fulton County residents at the Georgia International Conference Center in College Park. City representatives spent nearly two hours answering questions from residents at the meeting.

OCT 7

City and County representatives meet for another negotiation session at the Georgia Municipal Association in Atlanta. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said at the meeting that the county wouldn’t budge on getting a larger share of LOST revenues.

OCT 17

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens hosts a press conference with 11 other mayors, committing to a municipal coalition to oppose Fulton County’s demands and urging county leaders to negotiate in good faith.

Every 10 years, city and county officials are required to negotiate how the sales tax revenues for the following decade will be split between the county and it’s 15 cities.

County negotiators started the process on what many cities considered the wrong

After months of negotiation meetings, Atlanta and Sandy Springs signed an agreement in November granting Fulton County about 10 percent of total revenues generated over the 10-year life of LOST, and the deal was finalized at a ceremony held at Atlanta’s Central Library Dec. 15.

NOV 2-DEC 15

City councils in each of Fulton County’s 15 cities vote to approve the LOST agreement, settling for a staggered decrease in distribution percentages over the 10-year life of LOST, so that the county share can increase from 4.9 to 9.9 percent.

NOV 2

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sign an agreement granting Fulton County about 10 percent of total revenues generated over the 10-year life of LOST. Fulton County commissioners approved the deal at a Nov. 2 meeting, with Commission Chair Robb Pitts and Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman abstaining and Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr. absent from the vote.

DEC 15

Fulton County and municipal leaders finalize the $3 billion LOST agreement during a ceremony held at Atlanta’s Central Library.

Shopping Spree Giveaway

Start the year off right with a chance to win a $1,000 Shopping Spree courtesy of Appen Media and the Crier Newspapers.

Each week, our newsroom will hide this shopping cart image in the newspaper. Once you find it, visit appenmedia.com/shoppingspree and enter 1) Your name

Your email 3) The page number you found the image That’s it!

The contest will run for 13 consecutive weeks, so submit an entry each week to maximize your chances of winning.

The winner will be randomly drawn, notified on Monday, April 3rd and announced in the April 13th Crier publications. HAPPY SHOPPING …and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January book events include writing classes, football recollections

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

For anyone making a resolution to finally write their story – ideally with assistance – help is near in the new year. One of Atlanta’s preeminent authorities on the craft of writing will be teaching an eight-week course on exactly that in Roswell beginning Jan. 10.

George Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and author of six novels, will be leading “Telling Your Story: Start It, Finish It & Share It.” Offered by Seniors Enriched Living, a nonprofit interfaith organization, classes will be held at the Roswell United Methodist Church for anyone 50 and older.

BELUE

the business of writing. Details about the 28th Atlanta Writers Conference May 5-6, which Weinstein will direct, are at atlantawritersconference.com.

For readers simply in search of local inperson author events, several will be offered in January, including an evening featuring Buck Belue, star quarterback of the 1980 National Championship Georgia Bulldogs football team. Belue, a sports radio host in Atlanta, will be discussing his book, “Inside the Hedges: The Quarterback’s Journey to the National Championship,” in Alpharetta Jan. 17.

More information

Buck Belue, former UGA star quarterback, will discuss his book about the Bulldogs’ 1980 National Championship run in Alpharetta Jan. 17.

Literary Events Around North Atlanta

Tuesday, Jan. 10: Terri Parlato. The North Atlanta Author Series continues with Parlato discussing her debut suspense novel, “All the Dark Places.” Roger Johns, winner of the 2018 Georgia Author of the Year in the detective-mystery category, will moderate the event, and Bookmiser will have books for sale. Starts at 6 p.m. Discussion, signing. Free. Milton Branch Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton, 30009. 404-613-4402. bookmiser.net

quarterback of the University of Georgia’s 1980 National Championship football team. He will be discussing his book, “Inside the Hedges,” which is a look back at that season through the quarterback’s eyes. 6 p.m. Conversation, signing. Free. Alpharetta Branch Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, 404-613-6735. anovelidea.us.

WEINSTEIN

Weinstein also has resources to assist writers of all ages. Since 2009, he has directed the AWC’s biannual Atlanta Writers Conference. Each event offers a host of acquisitions editors and literary agents to help members better understand

George Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club, will lead an eight-week writing course beginning Jan. 10 in Roswell.

Tuesdays, Jan. 10-March 7: George Weinstein. Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and author of six novels, will lead “Telling Your Story: Start It, Finish It & Share It,” an eight-week interactive class for anyone 50 and older. The program is offered by Seniors Enriched Living, a nonprofit interfaith organization. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. weekly. $70. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-993-6218. sites.google.com/ selroswellga.org/seniors-enriched-living/ classes/winter?authuser=0

Tuesday, Jan. 17: Buck Belue. A Novel Idea hosts an evening featuring Belue,

Saturday, Jan. 21: The Talking Book Podcast Atlanta. To celebrate the podcast’s first anniversary, several local authors will be interviewed. Refreshments, giveaways, signings. Free. 11 a.m. Johns Creek Books and Gifts, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Suite B500, Johns Creek, 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com

Saturday, Jan. 21, Anju Gattani. Gattani will be discussing “Dynasties,” the debut in her “Winds of Fire” series. Conversation, signing. Free. Noon. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton, 770-797-5566. poeandcompanybookstore.com

To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.

PET OF THE WEEK

RosRos (ID# 51028295) - Ros is a very handsome boy who is a good, easy-to-manage size. He seems housetrained and probably knows lots of other good stuff. Around the shelter, he is known as a “love bug” because he is always ready with hugs and kisses. Bring Ros home and fall in love too.

Our shelter is full of incredible pets waiting for homes, and to them, your love is priceless. We must find 500 homes; will yours be one of them?

Expand your family by 4 furry little feet; meet Ros and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. If you would like more information about Ros please call (404) 294-2165 or email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com. All potential adopters will be screened to ensure Ros goes to a good home.

A note from The Crier’s friends at DeKalb County Animal Services:

The holidays are the worst for the unwanted pets, and most shelters are full. Rescues use boarding facilities at special rates year-round, but those places are in demand at high dollar rates this time of year. As a result, those pets need to be placed in temporary foster homes. If someone can open their home for fostering during the holidays that would help make room at the shelter for the owner surrenders. Fostering is not a lifelong commitment. It’s like being a grandparent - just provide a spot, food and love. Rescues pay the vet bills and will provide a crate and guidance. If you think you can help, email adoption@dekalbanimalservices or call 404-294-2165

The realizations that come with age

The big news from me in 2022 is that I’m getting old.

It’s bad enough that journalists fresh out of J-School at UGA have been calling me “Mr. Appen,” but now my oldest child, Phoebe, has started to call me “Hans” when she gets mad at me. If she grows any more like her mother in 2023 I’m in big trouble.

fact that I’m even mentioning these two social platforms is causing some snickers amongst the whipper snappers in my office.

HANS APPEN Publisher hans@appenmedia.com

Said oldest child is also quick to point out the influx of gray hairs on my head and pat my big belly in mock concern.

“Wait, do you have grays in your beard, too?!”

I am officially out of touch and behind the times with the latest advancements in technology, and frankly, I give up. I never jumped on TikTok and I am not going to even try with BeReal. I’m sure the

Speaking of, outside of dear June in our Classifieds department, I am now the most tenured employee on my own staff. How did that happen? This year, I hired someone for the first time whose birth year doesn’t begin with a 19. What?!

I am middle of the rung now when someone on staff needs help with a computer program, and I am rarely called upon to represent the “younger generation” in a meeting involving diversifying for an evolving media environment and younger readers.

Just tell me what to do and when to do it, folks.

Recently, I joined a group of about 15 of my uncles, male cousins, and husbands of female cousins for 48 hours in Vegas. We caught the IU/Arizona basketball game at the MGM and walked up and down the strip for hours. At about

hour 30, I patted a few on the back, told them to have fun, and me and my sore hips made their way back to the hotel for a nap. I slept like a baby.

Lastly, it used to be that elderly neighbors would call me to help them lift something heavy or keep an eye on their house while they were out of town. Recently, my middle child, Leo, got the call instead.

Yep, I’m getting old.

The thing is, I’m more than OK with this stage in life, and I quite like it, actually.

While Mom and Dad inch closer to retirement and further away from Appen Media, I still have brother Carl on staff with me to continue the tradition of multiple Appen family members working – and coming to blows – in the company that bears their name. He is the ying to my yang at the office, and we do a good job of covering for each other. He’s got my back and I’ve got his.

At home, my favorite thing to do is

spend time with my kids. We are neck deep in baseball, soccer, karate, piano, playdates, fishing – you name it, we’re doing it.

The highlight of my day is making my way to each child’s room for their bedtime story. Phoebe and I are on Book 6 of the Harry Potter series, Leo and I are on Book 3 of the Little House on the Prairie Series, and youngest child, Annie, refuses to read anything other than Peppa Pig.

For me, I love to be outside and have my hands in the dirt. I recognize and enjoy moments in life I used to ignore, or take for granted. Blooming flowers, the art of and joy of building something with your own hands, the laughter of a child, a good sermon, good people and the gift of another day.

Life is good, and I am good with it.

So, from Alpharetta’s newest old geezer, I hope you have a wonderful New Year filled with good friends, good health and happy memories.

But first, get off my lawn.

An array of topics: What do you think?

So, this column is sort of like a mini “house-cleaning.”

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

There have been a number of things that have occurred recently that are either solid potential “column topics: or at least semi columnworthy.”

One item has to do with one of my recent columns about social media. Another has to do with a longer article that our reporter Amber wrote about drag theater, and another consists of a few things that happened, or I observed when we were in New York to see a Broadway show this past week (“Music Man”).

Don’t know where I live

Every week we deliver just over 100,000 local newspapers (Heralds and Criers) to homes. These are free, nonsubscription-based, so every week we usually receive a few requests to stop delivery – for whatever reason. However, it is not that unusual that when we ask the caller their address and the name of the subdivision in which they live, so we can stop delivery, they give us the address but cannot give us the name of their subdivision because they don’t know it.

They don’t know the name of the subdivision in which they live?

I am not sure what the opposite of “woke” is but is it possibly “comatose” or “oblivious to anything but their own field of vision, sensibilities, and values.” “Myopic,” but with a more negative twist, comes to mind. Yes, they might have just moved in last week, but my guess is that is only the case in a few instances.

Not all social media is bad

A reader took the time to correct me about a recent column in which I focused on all the negative/toxic aspects of social media without acknowledging the positive ones. My bad. He was right to call me on that. While I did consider it when I wrote the column, I think in my mind I was thinking that the positives are obvious – just as are the negative aspects. Again, I should have addressed that aspect.

NYC/Broadway/honking

We walked a lot on Broadway as well as took Ubers and Lyfts. One thing was constant – thousands of cars and trucks and honking – honking, honking, and more honking. So, at some point one sort of just stops hearing those honks; but, at another point I had an epiphany about them. Those honks in NYC were not personal; they are not road-rage like they very often are in Georgia. It felt like –opinion here – like those NYC honks were saying “move on,” “quit holding everyone up”, “wake up.” That’s in contrast to the toxic, often threatening, name-calling

personal outrage that is honking in Georgia and specifically in North Fulton. The volume of honks in NYC surely would have resulted in – how many? –people pulling out their guns and … in Georgia?

Tik Tok and Elon

Another reader pointed out to me that in my column about social media, I should have been defending First Amendment rights of free speech instead of trashing social media. I get his point of view. But I also believe that free speech is not absolute; that you cannot shout “fire” in a crowded theater. I also pointed out to him in my reply that, in my opinion, that an un-regulated, unencumbered Internet – which is the main conduit of “free speech” is incompatible with all forms of government. I have not heard back from him yet, but I am sure he will not agree.

Of note, I noted that Congress just passed a bill banning TikTok from being loaded onto any computer belonging to the U.S. federal government; free speech vs what?

The story about theater and drag actors

So, we have received a lot of “feedback” about a recent story about a drag show in Forsyth County.

One reader who had previously emailed me to complement us on how much progress we had made in our Forsyth coverage expressed his

disappointment in our story choice – “you digressed.”

A good friend – who I respect and like – reached out to me about how sad he was that we reported/promoted anything to do with the topic

So here is a poignant local example of choices that must be made and the impact of those choices for a newspaper or media of any sort – and for the audience served. None of the choices are easy. Where does one draw the line? Ban TikTok? Ban reporters because they write true stories about you (Elon Musk)? Ban politicians because they shout “fire” in a crowded theater? Who gets to define “fire?”

Is all we (the media) have to do is make sure that what we write is objectively the truth - (yes)? But, what about story selection? If we write about crime, does that mean we are promoting crime? Do all people have a fundamental right to live their lives as they choose so long as they do not harm others – and more. Are some lifestyles more important than others? Is someone “woke” if they think people should be treated the same? Are people “comatose” if they attack others as being woke because they are different than they are? And on and on.

Respect, honesty, the truth, and common sense are some of the markers that should lead a media – and individuals – to the best middle ground I think.

Peace on Earth, good will to everyone.

Donald Kjenstad, 75, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 19, 2022.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Solomon McDaniel, 87, of Roswell, passed away on December 16, 2022.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Florrie Silvers, 78, of Roswell, passed away on December 19, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jeanette Sullivan, 93, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 21, 2022.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.