Gwinnett Daily Post - March 25, 2016

GARRY SHANDLING DIES

Comedian and actor was 66. Page 3A

RECORD COLLECTION Berkmar’s Simpkins leaving her mark on the books • Sports, 1B

Gwinnett Daily Post FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

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Vol. 46, No. 111

Police: Man shoots, kills stepdaughter From Staff Reports

the 1900 Block of Pinehurst View Drive at around Gwinnett Police arrested 4:30 pm when police rea 43-year-old man on the ceived a call that a person murder of his 26-year-old had been shot. stepdaughter on Thursday “Police arrived to learn afternoon in Grayson. that a domestic dispute The incident began on led to a male shooting his

stepdaughter inside a home and fleeing the scene on foot into the subdivision,” Gwinnett Police Cpl. Deon Washington said. “A large perimeter was set up, and within an hour, the suspect was apprehended inside

the subdivision without incident.”

The victim was transported to an area hospital but did not survive, police said.

According to officials, the victim’s mother, two

teen boys and two young children were inside the home when the shooting happened. They were not harmed.

“This is a tragic situation that has ruined a family,” Washington said.

“Our objective at this point is to conduct a thorough investigation and paint a clear picture for what led to this homicide.”

Names will be released pending next of kin notification.

GWINNETT SCHOOLS

Budget adds raises for employees

By Keith Farner keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County Police officers Victor Cortez, left, and Austin York accept the Gold Medal of Valor during Thursday’s Valor Awards at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth. (Photos: Kyle Hess)

REWARDS OF

VALOR

Public safety workers honored at ceremony

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

DULUTH — Victor Cortez stood in his Gwinnett police uniform with a smile creeping across his face. Along with three other county officers, he’d just won the Medal of Valor on Thursday at the Gwinnett Chamber’s annual public safety awards. It’s the highest award of the event.

“I don’t think anyone who puts on this uniform or any uniform would’ve done anything differently,” he said later on a break from posing for pictures with officials and other winners at the Infinite Energy Center.

What Cortez did was come to the rescue of a 14-year-old girl and her 73-year-old grandmother as a crazed man was beating them bloody in their home near Lawrenceville. Back in June, Cortez — working with fellow Medal of Valor winners Sgt. Roger Bell, Daniel Bennett and Austin York — arrived at the Saratoga Drive home to find

Chairwoman Charlotte Nash with the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners welcomes the crowd during Thursday’s Valor Awards at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.

the 6-foot-5, 200 pound suspect completely nude, covered in blood, sweat and water.

The officers took in Andre Burton, who had alleg-

edly broken into the house at random after becoming agitated suddenly and stealing an acquaintance’s car. The arrest came only after Burton,

SUWANEE — Pay raises are coming for employees across Gwinnett County Public Schools as the overall financial picture continues to improve since the Great Recession. But district officials are still grappling with rising health care prices and additional costs for new schools.

In a Thursday afternoon meeting with reporters, Chief Financial Officer Joe Heffron outlined the recommended fiscal 2017 budget for the school district that totals $1.987 billion. As announced last week, employees will receive a 3 percent pay raise, and the salary scale for teachers is moving up one year.

First-year teacher salary is up slightly over last year to $41,849. The rate for substitute teachers will rise from $85 to $87, and for long-term subs it will increase from $95 to $97.

Opening two new schools — Baldwin Elementary and Coleman Middle — means the district plans to hire 159 more teachers.

For the third straight year, the Gwinnett County tax digest is increasing, this time by five percent for an additional $23.3 million. However, heath care costs for noncertificated employees for the district have moved from $596 per employee to $746 in January,

See BUDGET, Page 7A

Beauty queen dream comes true at pageant

By Curt Yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com

Like many girls, when Colleen Murphy was young, she dreamed of someday being a beauty queen. She also wanted to be a baton twirler in a marching band.

One of those dreams became a reality for the 88-year-old at the Gwinnett Extended Care Center MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com in Lawrenceville for photos of the pageant. on Thursday night, and it wasn’t the one that involved spinning sticks.

A shower of cheers rained down upon Murphy as she was crowned Ms. GECC 2016. A white sash with deep red lettering was draped around her, and

See PAGEANT, Page 10A

who’s raised a possible insanity defense, was hit with a Taser and overpowered.

See VALOR, Page 10A

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INSIDE Classified........7B

Health.............9A

Nation............ 5A

Sports.............1B

Comics............6B

Horoscope......4A

Obituaries.......7A

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Lottery............ 4A

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Stay connected with the Daily Post online, where you can submit news tips, browse photo galleries and sign up to receive headlines digitally at gwinnettdailypost.com/newsletter.

Send us engagements, wedding, births or anniversaries under “Submit your news” on the home page.

Colleen Murphy is queened Ms. GECC at the Gwinnett Extended Care Center pageant on Thursday in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Chris Roughgarden)

2A • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

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Gwinnett police name new animal welfare managers

By Curt Yeomans

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

Gwinnett County police officials announced on Thursday that they have found their man —

and their woman — to lead the county’s Animal Welfare and Enforcement Unit.

Curtis Harrell was named the new animal welfare manager, and Cynthia Wiemann was

picked to fill a newly created assistant manager position. They will oversee about 41 staff members and operations at the county’s animal welfare shelter.

“We are excited to

Isn’t it time?

To think about recording your wishes?

bring Curtis and Cynthia on board and watch them take the Gwinnett County Animal and Welfare Enforcement Center to the next level of customer service excellence and compassionate care for the animals in our charge,” Police Chief Butch Ayers said in a statement.

Harrell was the major of operations at the Johns Creek Police Department when it was formed and is in his sixth year of working for Cherokee County schools, where he teaches criminal justice and forensics to high school students. He has about 23 years of law enforcement experience.

Gwinnett police

A child greets a 2-year-old pit bull dog at the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Center in this file photo. Gwinnett County police announced the hiring of Curtis Harrell and Cynthia Wiemann as the shelter’s new manager and assistant manager on Thursday. (File Photo)

spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said Harrell has attended the FBI National Academy and

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Georgia Law Enforcement Program and holds two master’s degrees.

Harrell will replace former animal welfare manager Chip Moore, who retired last fall.

Wiemann has 16 years of animal welfare and enforcement experience, most recently as Madison’s sole animal control officer, works with several rescue, foster and disaster groups, and is a veterinary technician, according to Washington.

She is also on the National Animal Care and Control Association’s Board of directors and is the secretary and treasurer of the Georgia Animal Care and Control Association.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 3A

Gwinnett police seek Kroger purse snatcher From Staff Reports Gwinnett police are hoping surveillance photos from a Lawrenceville Kroger can help identify an accused purse snatcher.

On Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., the victim was loading groceries into her car at the store located at 950 Herrington Road when her purse was snatched, police said Thursday.

The suspect fled on foot behind the business. Beforehand, the suspect had been captured on video inside the Kroger with two other men.

The suspect is described as a black man standing 5-foot-9 or taller and weighing between 160 and 175 pounds. He wore a black hoodie, blue workout pants and white sneakers.

Anyone with information can contact 770-513-5300.

To remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www. crimestoppersatlanta.org.

Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.

Gwinnett police are seeking this accused purse snatcher in relation to a Wednesday incident at a Lawrenceville Kroger, the department said. (Special Photo)

PCOM student gets scholarship for Johns Hopkins program search and the opportunity to interact with experts in the field.

Medical student Ashley Peterson is currently a Peterson received a schol- student at the Suwanee arship that will allow her campus of the Philadelphia to spend eight weeks at the College of Osteopathic Medical Student Training Medicine. She will travel in Aging Research proto Johns Hopkins in June gram in order to research and July to participate in geriatrics and end of life the MSTAR program, and care. said that she is excited The session is held at to interact with a patient Johns Hopkins University population she enjoys.

School of Medicine in Bal“I was inspired to apply timore and is conducted because of my passion for by the American Federaworking with the older tion for Aging Research adult population,” she said and the National Institute in a statement. “This proon Aging. The program gram allows students to awards short-term scholar- dig deeper into geriatricships that provide experispecific problems and take ence in aging-related rea closer look at solutions

By Polly Ouellette Staff Intern

and data.”

In May of 2017, Peterson will present a poster with the details of her research project at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society in San Antonio.

According to Peterson, volunteering at hospices and nursing homes sparked her interest in working with older adults.

Her grandmother also had a large influence on her life.

“She pushed me to achieve my goals and my dreams,” Peterson said.

Peterson is ultimately pursuing a career in family Medical student Ashley Peterson received a scholarship that will allow her to spend medicine with a specialty eight weeks at the Medical Student Training in Aging Research program in order to research geriatrics and end of life care. (Special Photo) in geriatrics.

Gwinnett’s unemployment Garry Shandling, comedian rate rose again in February and actor, dies at age 66

By Curt Yeomans

jobless residents The state estimated the county had a labor force of 454,749 people last month Gwinnett County’s labor and 432,540 of them had force and the number of jobs while another 22,209 employed residents grew of them were unemployed. last month, but its unemBy comparison, Gwinnett’s ployment rate was also on labor force was 451,291 the rise, according to prepeople, including 430,165 liminary figures released by employed residents and state officials on Thursday. another 21,126 who did not The Georgia Department have a job, in January, when of Labor announced Gwin- the rate was 4.7 percent. nett’s jobless rate sat at 4.9 The state also released percent in February, which unemployment figures for is up two-tenths of a point cities whose populations exfrom January but still below ceed 25,000, which includes the 5.3 percent rate seen a the cities of Lawrencevyear ago. The latest figures ille, Duluth and Peachtree show the second consecuCorners. Duluth’s rate of tive month of increases in 5.1 percent was up slightly the county’s jobless rate, in from 5 percent in January, part because the larger work while Lawrenceville’s rate force also included more jumped from 6.5 percent

curt.yeomans @gwinnettdailypost.com

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to 6.7 percent. Meanwhile, Peachtree Corners’ rate went up from 2.7 percent to 2.9 percent.

Although Gwinnett’s rate went up, it is still below the 5.3 percent rate for the entire 10-county Atlanta Regional Commission footprint. The region’s rate is up from 5.1 percent in January.

The county-level figures are not seasonally adjusted.

Georgia’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6 percent last month, up from 5.4 percent in January.

As was the case in January, Gwinnett was tied with Fayette County for the third lowest unemployment rate in the ARC area. Cherokee and Cobb counties had the lowest rates in the region at 4.4 and 4.8 percent, respectively. DeKalb and Fulton were tied at 5.6 percent, followed by Henry (5.8 percent), Douglas (5.9), Rockdale (6) and Clayton (7) counties.

Not everyone saw their unemployment rates increase last month, however. Nationwide, the rate dropped by one-tenth of a point, from 5.3 percent to 5.2 percent, last month.

Easter Worship March 27 March 27 – Easter

Two Traditional Worship Services: 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary At the Traditional Worship services the music will be as glorious as the day deserves with the choir lifting praises to God, ending with our annual Easter acclamation, Handel’s “Hallelujah!” chorus.

One Contemporary Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. in the Grand Hall The worship band, prayer team and pastor will be energized and ready to join with you in the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

By Alex Stedman Reuters

LOS ANGELES — Comedian, actor, writer and producer Garry Shandling, known for “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” and “The Larry Sanders Show,” has died, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed. He was 66.

The official cause of death is unknown.

A spokesman for the LAPD said they received a 911 call from Shandling’s home on Thursday, saying the comedian suffered from a “medical emergency.” He later died at an L.A. hospital.

Shandling wasn’t known to be suffering from any illnesses, and just a few days ago retweeted Kathy Griffin’s photo of himself, her and Bob Odenkirk.

The influential comedian was known for his neurotic observational humor, particularly about romantic relationships, and his no-holdsbarred skewering of showbiz in his inventive TV shows.

“The Larry Sanders Show” was one of the early pillars of HBO’s original series strategy, garnering Emmy Awards and critical acclaim

Comedian and actor Garry Shandling gestures during the 56th annual primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. in this 2004 file photo. Garry Shandling, best known for his work on the pioneering cable television comedy series, “The Larry Sanders Show,” died on Thursday at age 66, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

(Reuters/Robert Galbraith/Files)

during its 1992-98 run.

Born in Chicago, he was raised in Tucson, Ariz., and started out majoring in electrical engineering before completing a marketing degree at the University of Arizona. After moving to Los Angeles, he sold a script for “Sanford and Son” and also wrote for “Welcome Back, Kotter.” He guest-hosted on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and was in consideration to become Carson’s replacement.

In 1986, he created his own sitcom “It’s Garry

Shandling’s Show,” also an early original series effort for Showtime. The show, also co-created by Alan Zweibel, was nominated for four Emmys, and ran until 1990. The show was noted for being one that often broke the fourth wall, with Shandling speaking directly to the audience, and he played a version of himself: a stand-up comedian aware of the fact that he is a sitcom character. Even the theme song was self-referential from the opening line: “This is the theme to Garry’s show…”

The seeds of “Larry Sanders Show” were planted on Showtime in 1986 when Shandling hosted “The Garry Shandling Show 25th Anniversary Special,” a parody of a Johnny Carsonesque anniversary special.

He starred and co-created “Larry Sanders Show” for HBO, set in the office of a fictional late-night talk show, with Dennis Klein.

Shandling was nominated for 18 Emmys for the show and, along with Peter Tolan, won an Emmy for the series finale.

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4A • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 To Your Good Health

Keith Roach

How far is too far in salt?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 74 years old and have been very healthy. I take only Synthroid. My cholesterol and blood pressure were high, but I didn’t want to take medication for fear of side effects.

Last July, I had a stroke, leaving me with mouth and leg numbness.

My neurologist told me not to eat salt. I started having cramps in my fingers and toes, and my general doctor said I need 1,400 mg of sodium a day.

Some doctors tell you not to eat salt, but I understand that we need a certain amount. It’s very confusing.

— P.J.R. ANSWER: We certainly do need a small amount of sodium for normal function. Back in the middle ages, “salt famines” were a serious problem. However, this has not been a significant public health issue for centuries — indeed, the converse is true. In North America, most of us get far excessive amounts of salt, not only exceeding requirements (minimum requirement may be as little as 200 mg daily), but at a level where it raises blood pressure in a great number of people; I have seen people whose daily sodium intake is in excess of 25,000 mg. (Note that I am talking about sodium intake. To convert to how much table salt that is, multiply by 2.5.)

Different groups have different recommendations, but reducing salt intake is likely to reduce risk of high blood pressure and of stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a diet with less than 2,300 mg of sodium daily — that’s less than a teaspoon. Most of the salt in our diet (75 percent) comes from processed and restaurant foods, not from adding salt at the table.

In my experience, cramping comes from low potassium and not low sodium intake. Plenty of fruits will ensure good potassium intake, which is important, as it helps to minimize the effects of sodium. People with kidney disease, however, may need to watch potassium intake.

If you can get your blood pressure and cholesterol down with diet, that’s great. If not, medication can reduce risk of a second stroke.

DR. ROACH WRITES: One of the most common questions I receive is about how to find prescription medications for less money. I recently have found two resources that appear to reduce the prices for medications — often dramatically, and occasionally to less than the insurance co-payment that many people have. Both of these are websites — www.blinkhealth.com and www.goodrx.com.

Unfortunately, the most expensive, name-brand medications still are not affected. I’d like to hear from readers about their experiences.

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23) — Make money matters a priority. An opportunity to save or invest will stabilize your life and ease your stress. Alter DEAR AMY: My hushave expertise in this area that toddler twins are your lifestyle to fit your Ask Amy band and I have three chilchallenging, but we’d like and so it is appropriate budget. dren. The oldest is almost for you to stop and query for you to be more aware SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 4, and we have 2-year-old someone, just as a derma- 22) — Let a disciplined of this and more sensitive twins. My husband’s sister tologist might remark on a outlook be your guide. to the needs of all of the has a teenage son. stranger’s visible mole. kids.”

Follow through on a When our oldest son, But if I saw a woman You should also find creative idea, or approach “Robby,” was born, it with facial injuries, I ways to differentiate your your goals with strength, became apparent that he would not automatically toddlers so she can get to courage and a winning was becoming my motherassume that she had been know them individually. attitude. Romance will in-law’s “favorite.”

Continue to be in charge beaten, might think she help you make a personal Amy Dickinson My sister-in-law kept had fallen face first onto a of your children, making decision. pointing out this obvious choices on their behalf that sidewalk — and so I would SAGITTARIUS (Nov. favoritism, and I wholetry to interact with her should handle this. He and are best for them. If your 23-Dec. 21) — Share your heartedly agreed with her. I agree this is an issue, but mother-in-law doesn’t like without being too intruNow, my husband and he never talks to her about your decisions and chooses sive about her injuries. I’ll thoughts and collaboI have two other children rethink this sort of “polite” rate with someone who it. to sulk in the corner, it shows similar interests. A in the picture, which my negligence in the future.

Any advice on how I can means she understands partnership will allow you mother-in-law continues to handle this without starting your message.

DEAR AMY: “Bewilmore freedom to hone ignore. Oh, she plays with a family war?

DEAR AMY: Recently, dered” was thrown off by your skills and focus on them when she comes to a wedding invitation for a — Worried Mother I tripped and fell — face what you do best. visit. But every weekend wedding being held on a DEAR WORRIED: first — onto a concrete CAPRICORN (Dec. she asks to take our oldThursday.

You and your husband sidewalk. As a result, I 22-Jan. 19) — Endeavor est for a night or two and Forty years ago I marshould handle this together, have looked like a badly to please the ones you never asks the other two to because if your motherbattered woman for several ried on a Tuesday evening love.

Home improvements come over. She buys gifts and had a cake-and-punch in-law senses any breach days. for “Robby,” but not the in your family wall, she To my surprise, only my reception for a church full will bring your family closer together. Explore other grandchildren. of guests. I then left that will manipulate it to her friends have commented professional options that About a month ago, she advantage. on my injuries. At church, evening for our honeyasked if she could take You know that overt at the grocery store and the moon, returning on Friday will help you earn more our oldest on vacation for of the same week. I agree money. Take action and favoritism is damaging to post office, people either make things happen. a week. I told her no. I with your answer — she your family system — it haven’t noticed or have AQUARIUS (Jan. wasn’t comfortable with should accept the inviis also not healthy for pretended not to notice.

20-Feb. 19) — Check that. She did not speak to tation and add another the child being favored Perhaps because I was out work options and my husband or me for two because it throws off the memory. a social worker for many weeks. While she was on — Married on a Weekday discuss what you have to emotional balance in the years, when I see a woman offer with someone who vacation, she made a snide household. Favored chilDEAR MARRIED: who is banged up the way may need your services. comment on my Facebook dren often feel bewildered I am, I ask, “Are you OK? Thank you.

A chance to revise and Did someone hurt you? Do page that “her boy” should and guilty about their You can contact Amy be with her.

Dickinson via email: aska- reuse old skills or knowlstatus. Put a stop to this — you need help?”

If I truly were a battered The other day, when she firmly and respectfully. my@tribpub.com. You can edge will pay off financially. woman, I would feel that no brought him home from an also follow her on Twitter Say to her, “Treating PISCES (Feb. 20-March one cared — ­ that I was alone. @askingamy or “like” her overnight stay, she said to ‘Robby’ as the favorite Is it not “polite” to men- on Facebook. Amy Dickin- 20) — Let your imaginahim, “Come give me a kiss isn’t good for him — or tion obvious injuries? Am I son’s memoir, “The Mighty tion wander. An idea of and hug, because you are the other kids. We would yours will lead to a higher wrong to offer help? my favorite.” Our younger like for you to remember Queens of Freeville: A income or solid contract.

Your insight would be two might not understand Mother, a Daughter and that we have three chilKeep your budget in mind appreciated. what that means now, but the Town that Raised dren. They are all starting and practice moderation — Diane in Denver Them” (Hyperion), is it’s still not right. to notice that you have a in all aspects of life.

DEAR DIANE: You I think my husband available in bookstores. clear favorite. We know

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WORLD Lawyer: Abdeslam wants to return to ‘explain himself’ BRUSSELS — Salah Abdeslam, the prime surviving suspect in November’s Paris attacks, will no longer fight extradition to France as he had vowed to do but instead now wants to return to “explain himself,” his lawyer said on Thursday.

Abdeslam, a French citizen, was arrested in Brussels on March 18 after a four-month manhunt in the wake of the Nov. 13 shooting and suicide bombing rampage by Islamic State militants that killed 130 people in Paris.

His lawyer, Sven Mary, told reporters in Brussels that he hoped Abdeslam’s return to Paris could happen “as soon as possible …

Regarding going to France, I think it’s really a question of weeks.”

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins had said last week that at worst it could take three months for Abdeslam to be handed over to France after the suspect said he would oppose extradition.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 5A

world&nation Frustration simmers over Belgium U.S. brushed off by officials struggling with militant threat

By Mark Hosenball Reuters

WASHINGTON — Shortly after last November’s attacks on Paris by a Brussels-based Islamic State cell, a top U.S. counterterrorism official traveling in Europe wanted to visit Brussels to learn more about the investigation.

When the official tried to arrange meetings, however, his Belgian counterparts were not welcoming, according to U.S. officials familiar with the events. The Belgians indicated it was a bad time to speak to foreign officials as they were too busy with the investigation, said the officials, who asked not to be identified.

Belgian officials declined to comment on the incident.

The brush-off was one small sign of mounting U.S. frustration over Brussels’ handling of its worsening Islamic militant threat.

Concern that the small European nation’s security and intelligence officials are overwhelmed — and that its coordination with allies falls short — have again Iraq launches come to the fore following offensive against the Islamic State-claimed atIslamic State tacks on Tuesday that killed at least 31 people. south of Mosul Several U.S. officials say BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq that security cooperation has — Iraq’s armed forces went been hampered by patchy on the offensive against intelligence-sharing by BrusIslamic State in the northern province of Nineveh on Thursday in what Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described as the first phase U.S. indicts seven of a campaign to liberate areas around the city of Iranians for bank, Mosul. dam hackings The assault was launched from the Makhmour area, WASHINGTON — Sevto which thousands of Iraqi en Iranian hackers broke into troops have deployed in computers of dozens of U.S. recent weeks, setting up banks, causing millions of base alongside Kurdish dollars in lost business, and peshmerga and U.S. forces tried to shut down a New around 60 km south of York dam, the U.S. governMosul, Islamic State’s main ment said on Thursday in an bastion. indictment that for the first Iraqi officials say they time accused individuals tied will retake Mosul this to another country of trying year but, in private, many to disrupt critical infrastrucquestion whether the army, ture. which partially collapsed It said the seven accused when Islamic State overwere believed to have been ran a third of the country in working on behalf of Iran’s June 2014, will be ready in government and the Islamic time.

Revolutionary Guard. Those named live in Iran and the Iranian government is not North Korea expected to extradite them. claims rocket There was no immediate comment from Tehran. engine success At least 46 major financial SEOUL — North Korea institutions and financial secsuccessfully tested a solid- tor companies were targeted, fuel engine that boosted the including JPMorgan Chase, power of its ballistic rockWells Fargo and American ets, state media reported on Express, the indictment said.

Thursday, as South Korea’s AT&T also was targeted. president ordered the miliThe hackers are accused tary to be ready to respond of hitting the banks with to the North’s “reckless distributed-denial-of-service provocation.” attacks on a near-weekly Pyongyang’s claim basis, a relatively unsophisindicates it is continuing to ticated way of knocking develop an intercontinental computer networks offline ballistic missile at a rapid by overwhelming them with pace in defiance of U.N. a flood of spammed traffic. sanctions and amid assessment by the South’s ofMan pleads guilty ficials that it could conduct over noose on a new nuclear test at any time. statue at Ole Miss The isolated state has in recent weeks stepped up A former University of bellicose rhetoric, threaten- Mississippi student pleaded ing pre-emptive nuclear guilty to a federal civil rights strikes against Washington charge on Thursday, admitand Seoul, as well as mak- ting to his role in draping ing claims of advancement a noose around the neck in its weapons technology. of a statue of the school’s — From wire reports first black student, the U.S.

NATION

PEOPLE Bridget Jones back, pregnant in new film trailer

LONDON — Bridget Jones, the fictional bumbling Londoner obsessed with her love life, is back, this time pregnant as well as with more men woes, in a new trailer for the latest film based on the hugely popular novels.

Fans got a first glimpse of “Bridget Jones’s Baby” with a two-minute trailer released on Wednesday, showing Oscar winner Renee Zellweger returning as the much-loved, weight-fixated singleton, now in her 40s.

Beginning with a wedding scene, with Jones in a white dress walking down the aisle, it soon becomes clear that there is no happily-everafter as she has split from A man reacts at a street memorial following Tuesday’s bomb attacks in Brussels, Bel- old love interest Mark Darcy, gium, on Wednesday. (Reuters/Vincent Kessler) played by “The King’s Speech” actor Colin Firth. sels and wide differences in debt levels under euro zone of Belgium’s security and Single again, a new love the willingness of differrules. The government has intelligence services, told ent agencies to work with promised to recruit around Belgium’s state broadcaster interest, played by “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Patrick foreign countries, even close 2,500 more federal police, RTBF. Dempsey, enters the fold, allies. who pursue major crimes, “But you have to reand when Jones becomes One U.S. government to make up for a shortfall of member that big powers source said that when close to a fifth of the fullguard their intelligence very pregnant, she is not sure who the baby’s father is.

American investigators try strength force of 12,500. closely.” to contact Belgian agenIt also says it thwarted a U.S. officials acknowlcies for information, they major attack in January 2015 edge the recent Belgian efWonder Woman often struggle to find which and is eager to cooperate forts to step up funding and leads fierce agency or part of an agency with European and U.S. recruitment. might have relevant informa- counterparts.

Yet they say Belgian secu- females of ‘BvS’ tion.

“These attacks show that rity services are outmatched LOS ANGELES — “BatBelgium has ordered a more coordination with by the threat in a country man v Superman: Dawn of sharp increase in security the United States is clearly that, per capita, has supJustice” is centered on the budgets following the Paris desirable,” Guy Rapaille, plied the highest number of clash of two of the most attacks, despite being under the president of the commit- foreign fighters to Syria of recognizable caped heroes steady pressure to limit its tee that provides oversight any European nation. of the comic book world but it is the women of the DC U.S. Naval Medical Center Comics universe who defy in San Diego Thursday after expectations. a gunman was reported to The movie has “four rehave been seen inside the ally great female characters main hospital, but no shots … but not a single one of were fired, a base spokesthem is an archetype,” said man said.

Amy Adams, who reprises The incident began as the her role as intrepid Daily Navy complex posted an ad- Planet journalist Lois Lane. visory on its Facebook page The film, which opens saying an “active shooter” around the world this week, introduces Israeli actress Gal was present at the hospital Gadot as Wonder Woman and advised all personnel and sees Holly Hunter as a and their families to avoid senator determined to hold the area, though no gunfire Superman accountable for was reported.

Base spokesman Michael the destruction caused by his An aide unveils a wanted poster before U.S. Attorney Wiener told Reuters that actions. Diane Lane plays General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Comey military security were on the Superman’s mother, Martha hold a news conference to announce indictments on scene searching for a posKent.

Iranian hackers for a coordinated campaign of cyber atsible suspect. tacks in 2012 and 2013 on several U.S. banks and a New An anonymous caller reYork dam, at the Justice Department in Washington on Soccer world ported seeing an unidentified Thursday. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) mourns death man with a firearm on the come the second U.S. state Justice Department said. fourth floor of the hospital’s of Johan Cruyff to prohibit abortions based Austin Reed Edenfield west wing, a nursing ward, AMSTERDAM — Johan on the diagnosis of the fetus prompting shelter-in-place accepted a plea deal chargCruyff, one of soccer’s greating him with a misdemeanor with a disability such as orders to be issued for the est players and most influencount of aiding and abetting Down syndrome. hospital, Wiener said. tial and visionary coaches, Republican Governor another person in using the Mike Pence has until the end Mich. Senate OKs died aged 68 on Thursday threat of force to intimidate after a five-month battle with of the day to sign or veto black students and staff at emergency funds lung cancer. the bill, which was ushered the Oxford, Miss. school, through the Republicanofficials said. for Detroit schools The death of the Dutchman, whose creative genius led legislature over the last He is the second exThe Michigan Senate on on the pitch and inventive three months. The bill still student and fraternity brilliance as a coach changed becomes law on Friday if the Thursday approved a $48.7 member to plead guilty in the incident, which occurred governor does not sign it but million emergency spending the modern game, prompted an outpouring of tributes to a package aiming to keep the fails to veto it. in February 2014. Graeme cash-strapped Detroit public figure hailed as doing more The legislature would Phillip Harris admitted to a than anyone “to make the schools open in April. need a two-thirds vote to similar charge last year and beautiful game beautiful.”

The appropriations bill was sentenced to six months override a veto, a threshold In his heyday in the both chambers reached when originated in the state House in prison. early 1970s, Cruyff, slender, of Representatives, where passing the measure.

Officials said Edenfield, quick-witted and outrait passed earlier this month.

The bill would ban aborthen 19, along with Harris geously gifted, helped a and one other person, hung a tion if the expecting mother A spokesman for Governor Rick Snyder said he intend- generation of football fans noose and a depiction of the is seeking the procedure across the world see the ed to approve emergency because the fetus has been Confederate battle flag on game in a different light. spending to keep schools diagnosed with certain a statue of James Meredith, Unquestionably the best who integrated the school in disabilities. It also bans abor- open. player in the world in that Detroit’s public school tions based on race, gender 1962 amid violent protests period, he was voted three system, Michigan’s largest, or national origin. and riots. operates 97 schools for about times winner of the prestiIndiana likely to Gunman reported 47,000 students. It is sinking gious Ballon d’Or so that he is now often mentioned under $3.4 billion of debt ban abortions in Navy hospital alongside the pair widely and other obligations, and considered the finest to have its academic performance based on fetal in San Diego played the game, Pele and is among the worst in the disabilities SAN DIEGO — A secu- United States.

Diego Maradona.

— From wire reports Indiana is likely to berity alert was issued at the — From wire reports

Report: NFL research undercounted diagnosed concussions Reuters The National Football League’s research into the dangers of head injuries undercounted diagnosed concussions, making them appear less frequent than they actually were, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

The newspaper, citing confidential data that it obtained, said an investigation showed the U.S. professional football league omitted more than 100 diagnosed

MUST READ concussions from studies the league commissioned from its teams, including severe injuries to stars like quarterbacks Steve Young and Troy Aikman.

The NFL called the newspaper story “sensationalized.”

Concussions have become a focus of medical research and controversy in sports because of growing evidence that repeated

head injuries raise the risk of long-term health problems.

“The Times published pages of innuendo and speculation for a headline with no basis in fact,” the NFL said in a statement, adding the research the paper referred to never claimed to include every concussion.

“The studies that are the focus of the Times’ story used data collected between 1996-2001,” the NFL said. “They were necessarily preliminary and acknowl-

edged that much more research was needed. Since that time, the NFL has been on the forefront of promoting and funding independent research on these complex issues.”

The Times said that when it asked the league about the missing cases — more than 10 percent of the total — officials acknowledged the teams were not required to submit their data and some did not. The NFL said in its statement that the research

referred to in the story was partly based on team reports that were encouraged but not mandated.

The NFL told the newspaper the missing cases were not an attempt to alter the rate of concussions.

Earlier this month for the first time a top NFL official acknowledged a link between footballrelated concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head.

perspectives

gwinnettdailypost.com

Todd Cline, Editor

todd.cline@gwinnettdailypost.com

PAGE 6 A • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

Are these the words of a president?

WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump’s ignorance of government policy, both foreign and domestic, is breathtaking. The Republican Party is likely to nominate for president a man who appears to know next to nothing about the issues that would confront him in the job.

Such a sweeping condemnation may sound unfair. I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump were already busy tweeting that I’m a “dummy” or something. But if you read the transcript of Trump’s hourlong meeting with the editorial board of The Washington Eugene Post, which took Robinson place earlier this week, I don’t see how you can come to any other conclusion.

I should note that I’m not a member of the board and therefore did not attend. But the Post published a full transcript (http://wapo. st/1RmDd9O), and it is one of the most chilling documents I’ve read in a long time.

I have argued for many months that Trump should be taken seriously, that he has tapped into a legitimate anger and that he understands the Republican base far better than the party establishment does. I’ve had cordial conversations with him, on the telephone and in television studios, and I agree with those who say he should never be underestimated. So I’m not a reflexive Trump hater. I am, however, appalled at how little he knows — and truly frightened.

The editors and writers at the Post were not playing “gotcha,” as the transcript clearly shows.

They asked straightforward questions such as, “Do you see any racial disparities in law enforcement?”

Trump’s response was to give an empty soliloquy, ending with the declaration that “I’m a very strong believer in law enforcement, but I’m also a very strong believer that the inner cities can come back.” Asked twice more whether blacks and whites receive disparate treatment, Trump offered this: “I’ve read where there are and I’ve read where there aren’t. I mean, I’ve read both. And, you know, I have no opinion on that. Because frankly, what I’m saying is you know we have to create incentives for people to go back and to reinvigorate the areas and to put people to work.

And you know we have lost millions and millions of jobs to China and other countries. And they’ve been taken out of this country, and when I say millions, you know it’s, it’s tremendous.

I’ve seen 5 million jobs, I’ve seen numbers that range from 6 million to, to smaller numbers. But it’s many millions of jobs, and it’s to countries all over. Mexico is really becoming the new China. And I have great issue with that.”

No opinion? China? Mexico?

He continued in that vein at length, bemoaning that “you’re losing Pfizer to Ireland,” until yet another attempt was made to get him back to the original question. He finally allowed that disparate treatment of African-Americans “would concern me” but said it could be solved, if it existed, by creating “incentives for companies to move in and create jobs.”

He was reminded that tax incentives and enterprise zones have been tried many times in the past. What would be different about his approach?

“I think what’s different is we have a very divided country,” Trump began. “And whether we like it or not, it’s divided as bad as I’ve ever seen it.” The rambling speech that followed ended with a pledge to be “a great cheerleader for the country.”

On foreign affairs, Trump was even more vague and vapid. Asked about the future of NATO, he was skeptical of the Cold War’s most vital alliance. He complained that we devote “hundreds of billions of dollars to supporting other countries that are, in theory, wealthier than we are.”

Called on that figure, he dialed it back to mere “billions.” His proposed solution was to “structure a much different deal … a much better deal.” I can’t help but imagine German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande being treated like minor partners in building some luxury condos or a new golf course.

Asked about Russian aggression in Ukraine, Trump said that “other people” should be doing more. Asked about China’s bullying actions in the South China Sea, he seemed to indicate he would be prepared to punish the Chinese with a trade war — but later took it back and said he wanted to be unpredictable.

I won’t even get into Trump’s lengthy defense of the size of his hands. Please read the transcript. Then decide whether it’s conceivable to put a man who knows so little in charge of so much.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com.

Couple has impact with Willson Center When your alma mater succeeds in any field, you become a proud alumnus — even if the extent of your knowledge about certain programs is limited, making you realize you may be brushed with a coating of provincialism.

The University of Georgia has one of the leading humanities and arts programs in higher education. The humanities are concerned with human culture with an accent on literature, history, art, music and philosophy. The more we expose the youth of every nation to such programs, the more learned and compatible our societies should become.

How the UGA Willson Center for the Humanities and Arts came to be is a reminder of how outreach programs and faculty and alumni leadership can play a role in connecting with those who place a high value on campus functions and who are willing to lend financial support.

Years ago, Georgia hosted an alumni seminar in the winter months that programmed faculty elites to lecture along with distinguished external experts, which brought rave reviews. Former Secretary of State Dean Rusk was a member of the UGA faculty at the time and invited a successor of his, Dr. Henry Kissinger, to make a keynote address. Kissinger accepted the invitation.

family eventually funded the humanities and arts program.

The Delta Prize for Global Understanding, made possible in part by Delta Airlines, was conceptualized by Craige and Bertsch.

The Willsons were remarkable in that, while they never Loran enrolled at the state university Smith in Athens, they believed they should support the programs (As an aside, he noted that it on campus that benefitted the was Mr. Rusk who established state, beyond the curriculum the tradition of Secretaries of and student body. They gave State speaking with an accent.) generously to the Center for It was a sad day for the International Trade and Secuinstitution when that seminar, rity and the Honors Program which sold out almost as soon before funding the Center for as the dates were set, went Humanities and Arts. away. There has never been “My parents derived great a greater administrative faux pleasure in supporting and pas. Although the alumni contributing to the University seminar has been regenerated, of Georgia,” said their son, it does not have the blockbust- Larry Willson, one day last er appeal of the past. summer from the offices of Not sure when the late Sunnyland Farms, the famHarry and Jane Willson began ily business in Albany. “My participating in the UGA mother always believed in libalumni seminar, but it was eral arts education. She wanted probably around the time of the best for the University of the Kissinger appearance.

Georgia.”

What is significant about that In his office at the Willson is that Jane Willson became Center, a tastefully converted so attracted to UGA and its former residence on Lumpfaculty preeminence — as kin Street, the director of the well as its luminaries, like center, Nicholas Allen, a native Betty Jean Craige, who had a of Ireland, said the Willson gift hand in the development of the “was the root which allowed Humanities Center, and Gary us to grow. The University of Bertsch, one of Georgia’s most Georgia is globally competiaccomplished and selfless tive, which allows us to bring professors — that she and her the best minds together. The

best students have the best careers if they excite their imagination.”

Allen himself is a reflection of the essence of what the humanities are about. He is the Franklin Professor of English and a prolific author and essayist with an affection for rugby and swimming. Did we omit something? Oh, yes. Irish whiskey.

His goal is simple — to connect the University of Georgia to the world of literature, arts, history, language, and theatre.

He considers it a plus that Athens is one of the highly regarded music centers in the country, noting that there remain great stories to be told in Georgia and in the South.

As was pointed out in a recent magazine piece: “The Willson Center’s efforts gained national recognition when the National Humanities Alliance Foundation selected the center as the first model program for its Humanities Working Groups for community Impact Initiative.”

All too often, the faculty titans and the best functioning initiatives on campus go unrecognized. What is the point about all this? Some of those you don’t know, doing work of consequence that you don’t know about, may make the world a better place and, in the process, cause life to be better for all of us.

Don’t dump on the process because of Trump The Republican Party establishment wants to dump Trump.

Jeb, Marco and Carly wanted to dump Trump. Ted and John still hope to dump Trump. So does Mitt.

Everyone in the GOP is on the same anti-Trump page.

They all want to dump him — and they’ll use every trick play in the primary book to do it.

So why is everyone in the party so angry about the way the primary process is going?

This is the process.

It’s really pretty simple.

If you want to be the Republican Party’s presidential candidate for 2016, you have to reach 1,237 delegates to win the nomination.

It’s not who gets close to 1,237 delegates. It’s who gets that number or more. That’s the way the system works.

In the Super Bowl, we don’t say to a team that if you get to the five-yard line you get six points. Or if your field goal goes just a little bit wide, you get three points.

You have to cross the goal line and get into the end zone. You’ve got to split the uprights. Those are the rules.

Whether you’re Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich or a candidate-to-be-

He’s the last sitting governor left in the race. We also have a first-term senator and a billionaire celebrity businessman who’s never been elected to anything.

What’s wrong with that trio? If there’s a contested convention, Republicans get Michael to choose one of them or Reagan maybe someone else.

Trust me, the struggle to named-later at a contested deny Trump the nomination convention, if you want to on the first ballot is not anywin the game you have to thing to be upset about. It’s get the necessary number of part of the process.

In 1976 what do you think delegates. we Reagans were trying to What’s going on now in the GOP primary is perfectly do at the Republican convennormal. Cruz and Kasich are tion?

We were trying to prevent both trying to do whatever President Ford from winning they can to stop Trump. the nomination on the first The people calling for ballot by busting up the New Kasich to drop out so Cruz York delegation. can go head-to-head against We were also trying to bust Trump are wrong. What up the Pennsylvania delegamakes them believe all of tion. That’s why my father Kasich’s voters will move named liberal Sen. Richard over to Cruz?

What Kasich said the other Schweicker of Pennsylvania his VP choice before the day is absolutely true. If he had dropped out before Ohio, convention started.

Our plans didn’t work. We Trump would have won lost. I was there, so I know that state’s 66 delegates and how that felt. But by losing be even closer to reaching we Reagan Republicans actu1,237. ally won in the long run.

So what if Kasich can’t If my father had become possibly win on the first balpresident in 1976, he would lot? It’s good that he is still not have been able to do running.

what he did in the 1980s to defeat the Soviet Union without firing a shot.

Winning the presidential primary is always a rough and tough process. Some Republicans want you to win and some don’t want you to win.

The most important thing is, at the end of the day you’re supposed to gather around the party’s choice — whoever it is — and move forward.

Democrats do that well.

Republicans don’t. They keep looking for reasons not to support their nominee.

If evangelicals and conservatives had supported and voted for Mitt Romney in 2012, instead of staying home out of spite because their favorite guy didn’t win the nomination, the Republican Party wouldn’t have a Trump problem today.

The GOP establishment, the Tea Party crowd, the evangelicals and the libertarians will need to unite and work hard this fall if they hope to prevent another President Clinton.

Even if they fail to dump Trump.

Email Michael Reagan at Reagan@caglecartoons.com.

Follow @reaganworld on Twitter.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 7A

gwinnettdailypost.com

At area board meeting, Wilbanks unveils ‘promise’ to Gwinnett

•From Page 1A

Budget

and they’re projected to move to $846 by January.

Benefit costs for nonBy Keith Farner certificated employees, and initiatives including keith.farner typically cafeteria workthe academy model that’s @gwinnettdailypost.com ers, bus drivers and central running at seven high schools, the eCLASS tech- office personnel, costs $9 SUGAR HILL — With million annually for 6,200 nology component that’s an eye toward the future in its seventh year and the employees. and a newly unveiled “We’re seeing some dual language immersion “promise” to the Gwinimproving financial trends program that’s coming to nett community, J. Alvin that seem to be sustaining three more schools.

Wilbanks gave the first Speaking in one of those now,” Heffron said, “howof several speeches to ever, we continue to have academy schools, Wilcommunities around the a number of budget chalbanks said they focus on county. areas to encourage engage- lenges that will always The CEO/Superintenment among students, and continue out there.” dent of Gwinnett County Heffron said the state promote concepts like Public Schools, Wilbanks funds $945 per employee project-based learning. spoke to the spring’s first per month who is certifi“We’ve made great area board meeting on cated. But it’s not surprisprogress in that short two Thursday night at Lanier ing on the noncertificated years,” Wilbanks said.

High School. Wilbanks “They certainly have some side that the state began outlined recent initiatives moving that cost up over work to do to get all the the district has rolled out in time and more in line academies working at a recent years, and areas that with the certificated cost. level we like.”

Gwinnett County Public Schools CEO/Superintendent J. are growing. Along with The state health benefit Wilbanks thanked Alvin Wilbanks speaks to a crowd at Lanier High School Wilbanks, the crowd heard on Thursday to discuss programs and initiatives the dis- the crowd for voting in commission has not yet from a series of speakpublished projected costs November for the special trict has focused on recently. (Staff Photo: Keith Farner) ers including students, purpose local option sales beyond January 2017, he teachers, elected officials tax, which overwhelmingly said.

A GIVE East student and people who work Promise of Gwinnett,” Wil- passed.

“But I would imagine told an emotional story with schools as business banks said it’s a message that school districts will “I know a number of about how her life turned partners. to every student that they kind of start taking a look Presidential candidates Similar area board meet- around after she was will receive the highest who would love to have 75 — at least at some point ings will take place around headed down the wrong quality education possible. percent,” Wilbanks said. “I down the road — what imGwinnett over the next path. She walked away Along with the mespact that has long term,” won’t name them.” month. from the microphone to a sage of a promise to the Heffron said. “That’s been While finances have Among the highlights standing ovation. next generations, Wilbanks improved since the Great a significant increase for were a Peach State Federal “I think it has been a reminded the crowd that the last three or four years Recession, Wilbanks said Credit Union branch com- teaching and a learning the School Board last week the property tax digest is for the school districts that ing soon to Central Gwin- experience for us also,” reaffirmed its core beliefs. still 12 percent below the they have to bear locally.” nett High School where Board member Louise “If you’ll make this a Some of the challenges level in 2009. Wilbanks seven students will work.

Radloff said. part of a serious conversa- noted that while this year’s will come from a proLanier teacher Mike Reilly Added board member tion about what you want budget is $1.98 billion, yet jected additional 1,791 outlined the growth of the Carole Boyce, “It was for our country and for our when he became superinstudents in August, which project-based learning and a great evening. I’m so kids,” Board member Dan tendent 20 years ago, the will bring the 2016-17 enSTEM education areas that invigorated and inspired by Seckinger said. “You guys budget was $457 million. rollment to 177,800. Cost he’s led. And one Lanier what we’ve heard.” are why it is so many of us per student in this budget “I hope you know that student, Ashton Barnes, Before a promotional are invested here.” is $8,466. this school district has received an appointment to video was played, WilIn a state of the district The district will receive always operated in sound the U.S. Air Force Acadbanks introduced a yearspeech, Wilbanks disfinancial management,” he an additional $30.8 milemy. long campaign, “The cussed several programs lion from the state because said.

obituaries BUFORD

Sherry Camperson Sherry Hutson Camperson 62, of Buford, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Rev. Rick Camperson; two sons, Rev. Alan Camperson and his wife, Anna, Curt Camperson; daughter, Jana Camperson; her three grandchildren, Jacob, Graham, and Claire Camperson; loving mother, Gerri Hutson; her two devoted sisters, Donna Janney, and Kay Chandler; brother, Rev. Tony Hutson; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of many friends, including her church family. Sherry was an author, and she also influenced lives through her teaching and singing ministry to women nationwide, ministered to the deaf community, and served the Lord in any way. Of her various responsibilities, Sherry most enjoyed being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Sherry will be deeply missed by her adoring family and many dear friends. She is now in Heaven with her Saviour and with her father, Dr. Hutson; but, just as her father, her legacy and influence will live on through her family and the countless lives she touched. The Service to Celebrate the Life of Sherry Hutson Camperson will be held on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 3:00 PM at Grace Fellowship Church, Snellville, GA. Burial will follow at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, Snellville, GA. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the time of service at

the church. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome. com.

Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company, Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

TUCKER

Micah Green Micah Glendon Green, age 35 of Tucker, GA passed away March 19, 2016. Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville GA, 30046 770-277-4550.

LAWRENCEVILLE

Sarah Ittner Sarah Elizabeth Ittner, age 84 of Lawrenceville passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2016, surrounded by her devoted husband and family.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, March 26, 2016 in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home. Mark Hornby will officiate. Interment will follow at North Atlanta Memorial Park. Mrs. Ittner attended Highlands Presbyterian Church, Grayson for 7 years. She was a member of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church for 35 years, worshiping at different church locations throughout the metro area. Mrs. Ittner had an eye for design and enjoyed brightening the lives of others through creating floral bouquets to help celebrate the special occasions in their lives. She did this for 10 years as a valuable employee of the floral department at Ingles in Lawrenceville. She was kind and selfless; she never met a stranger and spent the majority of her time in the kitchen cooking, baking, canning, and preserv-

ing foods to share with the ones she loved. If you ever needed a warm meal, there was always room for you at her table. Her family and grandchildren were her absolute loves, and they knew it, for she showed them on a daily basis. Her warm, tender, and loving spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. She is preceded in death by her parents, Irvin Watson Aaron, Gertrude Bradley Aaron, 3 brothers and 1 sister. Mrs. Ittner is survived by her loving husband Charles Ittner, Sr., Lawrenceville; sons & daughters-in-law: Chuck & Jenny Ittner, Braselton; Rick & Cindy Ittner, Dacula; brother: Irvin Watson Aaron, Canton; sisters: Bernice Townsend, Ellijay; Betty Bagley, Dahlonega; Dot Cook, Cartersville; Barbara Dotson, Canton; grandchildren: Megan Myers, Kyle Ittner, Blair Mayer, Drew Ittner, Brett Ittner, Mackenzie Ittner; great grandchild: Jase Mayer; several nieces and nephews. Flowers are accepted, and memorial contributions may be made to: 12 Stone Church Missions Trips for Blair at https:// my.12stone.com/mpp/ mission_trip_giving.aspx ?filter=campaign:178%7 Cpledge:32603%7Camou nt: and for Kyle at https:// my.12stone.com/mpp/mission_trip_giving.aspx?filte r=campaign:193%7Cpledg e:32592%7Camount:. The family will receive friends from 11-1PM on Saturday before the service at Tim Stewart Funeral Home: 300 Simonton Rd. SW Lawrenceville GA 30046.

770-962-3100. Please leave online condolences at www.stewartfh.com

$15 photos are available with all Obituaries and Death Notices

Call for details

770.963.9205

Ext.1162 or Ext.1163

of a decrease in austerity reductions. But the state money will also drop by $29.8 million because of a decrease in equalization grant funding of $19 million and a $10.8 million increase in the local fivemill share. That means the district nets $1 million.

Because of the increase in the property tax digest, Gwinnett moves up to the 95th wealthiest district in the state out of 180 districts, up from 113th at the height of the Recession.

It’s the first year in nine years that Gwinnett has moved up in that ranking.

It’s the first year Heffron has served as CFO during the budget cycle. He took over for Rick Cost, who retired in December. Heffron said it’s helped that he’s worked for the district for nine years.

“It’s been going very smoothly,” he said. “Rick has really served as a good mentor and advisor to help me, guide me through this transition. I do stay in touch with him. He’s also been one to give me some good counseling, good advice.”

The School Board will meet for a work session to discuss the budget at 8 a.m. on Saturday at the district office. The Board is scheduled for a tentative adoption of the budget at 6 p.m. on April 12 at Duluth High before that area Board meeting. The first public hearing about the budget will be at 7 p.m. on May 12 at the district office, and the second public hearing and adoption will be at 6 p.m. on May 19.

For more obituaries, visit www.gwinnettdailypost.com.

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL

Parandhama Kalathoor Parandhama R. Kalathoor, age 76 of Port Charlotte, FL passed away March 20, 2016. Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville GA, 30046 770-277-4550.

SUWANEE

Mary Kujda Mary Louise Kujda, age 67 of Suwanee, GA passed away March 23, 2016. Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville GA, 30046 770-277-4550.

services will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Rev. Arthur Southerland officiating. Interment will follow at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, March 23, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan, Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

BUFORD

DACULA

David Richardson, Sr.

Evelyn McMillan Evelyn Carr McMillan, age 68, of Dacula, GA, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016. She was preceded in death by her son, Brandon Parnell; parents, Harold and Ella Mae Carr; brothers, William T. Carr, and James Ray Carr. She is survived by her daughter, Jan Parnell Olivet, Dacula, GA; grandchildren, Marlana Olivet, Joshua Olivet, and Andrea Olivet; brother, Rev. Edward and Mildred Youngblood Carr, Sugar Hill, GA; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mrs. McMillan was born on March 12, 1948, in Buford, GA. She received her education at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, GA. She was a market manager for Ingles Grocery Store.

She was a member of Riverside Baptist Church in Buford, GA. Funeral

Mr. David “Joe” Richardson, Sr. of Buford, GA, returned to his heavenly home on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the age of 68.

He was surrounded by family as he transitioned into the presence of Jesus where all pain and suffering are no longer present.

David was born to parents Weyman and Bernice Richardson on November 19, 1947 in Tucker, GA. Throughout his life, he always wanted to be active whether on the baseball field hitting a home run, at the pool hall winning a championship game, or riding around in his truck to take in the scenery around Buford. In 1966, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. After his service to our country, he was married twice and had three children. He coached many seasons of baseball and football for the Buford Youth Athletic Association. David’s strong mathematical skills led him to his profession as a c

carpenter in the Gwinnett County area. He is dearly missed by his loved ones who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with Jesus Christ.

David is survived by his son, David Richardson, Jr.; his daughter, Misty Piper; his siblings, Lindalee Walters, Phillip Richardson, and Susan Clack; and three grandchildren, Elizabeth Richardson, Chloe Piper, and Nicholas Piper. He is preceded in death by his son, John Paul Richardson and his parents, Weyman and Bernice Richardson.

A celebration service will take place on Saturday, March 26 at 3:00 PM at the American Legion Post 127 in Buford, GA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the cost of the cremation by sending donations to Memorial Park funeral home in Gainesville, GA. The family thanks you for all of your prayers during this very difficult time.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.

BUFORD

Inez Robertson Inez A. Robertson, age 98, of Buford, GA passed away on March 20, 2016. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan, Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

BUFORD

Doug Skinner Doug Skinner, age 41, of Buford, GA passed away on March 23, 2016. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan, Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.

8A • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

Duluth hotel developer in fed prison for fraud

By Joshua Sharpe

joshua.sharpe @gwinnettdailypost.com

Duluth hotel developer Rajesh C. “R.C.” Patel is headed to federal prison for ripping off an investment partner. Patel, CEO of Diplomat Companies, was sentenced to six months followed by two years of supervised release in U.S. District Court in Nashville,

according to court records.

Authorities previously said the 56-year-old man paid restitution to the victim, who had been roped into a deal to buy the mortgage for a hotel in Atlanta from the FDIC. Before the sentencing hearing last Wednesday, Judge Aleta A. Trauger received a letter from “Indian Association Atlanta” calling the defendant a “thief, crook and a very selfish person.”

“We believe in America and came here to make our life better,” the note went on.

“We have complete trust and faith in American system. Please get and do justice for us. This man should realize and feel the pain.

Hopefully then he will stop ruining people’s life.” Patel admitted to taking $500,000 from a Brentwood, Tenn. investor who wanted to kick in on a $3.75 million bid

on the hotel, U.S. Attorney David Rivera said last year after Patel pleaded guilty.

“The bid submitted by Patel was not the winning bid and Patel instead used these funds to pay a debt arising from an unrelated transaction,” a news release from Rivera’s office said.

“Patel also admitted making misrepresentations to the investor regarding the outcome of the mortgage auc-

tion and concealing the fact that he used the investor’s funds for unrelated purposes.” Sentencing documents show the defendant was sentenced on two counts of a 10-count indictment; eight were dismissed.

Patel’s firm, based in DeKalb County, deals with hotel companies including Holiday Inn, Ramada, LaQuinta, Red Roof, Motel Six and Days Inn, according

to its website. One “successful project” listed is Holiday Inn on Sugarloaf Parkway.

Previously, Patel and his brother Mukesh “Mike” Patel were the chief shareholders in Haven Trust Bank, which failed in December 2008, according to news reports.

R.C. Patel is set to report to federal custody at 2 p.m. on May 18.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Seven locals inducted into UPS drivers ‘Circle of Honor’ UPS recently announced some Gwinnett County residents were among the 8,703 drivers who were recently inducted into the “Circle of Honor” for their safe driving and 25 years or more who have not had an avoidable accident.

Seven of the drivers are from the county, including Mark Williams of Buford, Patrick Green of Suwanee, Gary Dennis of Dacula, Vinson Sharpley and Phillip Bentley of Lawrenceville, Gary Lock of Grayson and Anthony Ponder of Duluth.

UPS is a global logistics company that offers various solutions in the transportation of packages and freight, the facilitation of international trade and the increased technology in regards to world business.

The drivers who were inducted into the “Circle of Honor” have driven over 5.3 billion miles and have more than 245,000 years of safe driving throughout their UPS careers.

Out of the entire “Circle of Honor” group, 514 have been accident-free for at least 35 years with 68 having over 40 years without an accident.

“Maintaining safe highways and roads is our highest priority, so I commend any person who achieves this milestone of 25 years or more crashfree, creating safer driving conditions for us all,” U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement in response to the induction.

“The achievements of this group of drivers are truly worth recognizing.”

For more information, visit ups.com.

The UPS Circle of Honor 25 Year patch is shown on uniform sleeves in this photo from UPS.com. Seven local employees from Gwinnett County were recently named as new members of the group. (Special Photo)

children.

The fundraiser was in cooperation with The Dotted Lines and KatieO Creations, and guests could buy $1 raffle tickets for a chance to win a dining room set restyled and donated by Katie-O Creations. All proceeds of the fundraiser were directly given to the Amanda Riley Foundation.

The Dotted Lines Designs is located at 3157 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. For more information regarding The Dotted Lines Designs, visit thedottedlinedesigns or visit their Facebook page at “The Dotted Lines Designs.”

For the third weekend in a row, the Georgia Department of Labor will assist Lanier Islands Resort in recruiting seasonal and permanent workers this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lanier Islands Resort is a 1,500-acre resort on Lake Lanier with a mission “to provide a memorable guest experience through impeccable service, superior recreational facilities, first-class amenities, creative culinary options, and comfortable,

GDOL to host recruitment event for MARTA cops MARTA is in the process of recruiting about 30 police officers to guard the transit system throughout Atlanta with the help of GDOL on

March 31.

The recruitment will take place at the GDOL’s Gwinnett Career Center in three sessions which will take place at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver’s license, pass the polygraph examination and pass a criminal and background check. Applicants must also pass a psychological and physical examination along with a drug and alcohol test.

The salaries of the jobs begin at $36,670 and go up to $56,430 for senior police officers. MARTA will also grant a $3,000 signing bonus for officers signed by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and may grant a $1,000 signing bonus for non-certified personnel.

The GDOL Gwinnett Career Center is located at 2211 Beaver Ruin Road, Suite 160 in Norcross. Job seekers who are planning on attending should visit employgeorgia. com for more information.

Studio 6 holding grand re-opening The Studio 6 Motel in

Duluth will re-open their doors after new renovations on March 29 with a celebration from noon to 3 p.m.

Studio 6 Motels are located across the United States and Canada in major commercial areas with access to shopping centers, entertainment spots, restaurants and more.

Visitors bureau representatives and Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce members will be at the ribbon cutting event along with potential customers.

The general manager of the Duluth location motel, Ashley Robinson, will have the honors of cutting the ribbon.

In addition to the ribbon cutting, the celebration will include an open house to view the newly renovated rooms, a light lunch and drawings for door prizes.

The newly renovated rooms feature new wood floors, 40-inch televisions, new appliances and new linens.

The event will take place at the Studio 6 Motel located at 3525 Breckenridge Blvd. in Duluth. For more information, visit staystudio6.com.

—­From staff reports

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Refurbished furniture boutique hosts grand opening

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In honor of their grand opening, the restyled and refurbished furniture boutique, The Dotted Lines Designs, hosted a celebration in Lawrenceville on March 12.

The focus of the boutique is to serve as a platform for artists to showcase their talents and works. The shop sells home decorations, refurbished furniture, jewelry and other items as well.

Each item showcased at the store represents a specific artist and the story behind each artist.

The grand opening celebration featured a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by a representative sent by Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Johnson.

In addition to the ribbon ceremony, Barbara Riley, the Co-President of the Amanda Riley Foundation, was in attendance to kickoff the fundraiser for the Amanda Riley Foundation.

The Amanda Riley Foundation was started by Barbara and her husband in response to Amanda’s, their daughter’s, battle with cancer in which she eventually passed away at the young age of 17. The foundation is designed to brighten the lives of children who are battling cancer and support the family members of these

Lanier Islands recruiting new workers Saturday

elegant accommodations.”

Lanier Islands Resort is seeking a variety of jobs, such as admissions clerks, bartenders, concessionstand operators, front-desk personnel, lifeguards, pool attendants, security guards servers and retail associates.

In order to apply for a job, Lanier Islands Resort requires that its workers are at least 16 years old.

Prospective applicants should bring an updated resume, a military identification card, a driver’s license and professional attire. The GDOL staff will be in attendance to help with the screening process.

Lanier Islands Resort is located at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford.

Job seekers who are planning on attending should visit employgeorgia.com for more information.

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YOUR ENERGY COACH

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 9A

health&wellness

Kaiser Permanente again tops in member satisfaction in Ga.

By Andy Miller

Georgia Health News

claims processing, cost and customer service.

Nationally, overall member satisfaction averaged 688 in the 2016 study, up from 679 in 2015 and 669 in 2014.

More than 31,000 health plan members were surveyed nationwide.

Kaiser Permanente, a nonprofit, operates 26 centers in Georgia.

“The member is at the forefront of everything we do at Kaiser Permanente, and we are honored to know that the people who entrust us with their health care and coverage continue to be the most satisfied year after year,” Julie Miller-Phipps, president of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia, said in a statement Tuesday.

“We will remain committed to providing access to affordable health plans and ensuring our members receive high-quality care

in a setting that is convenient for them.”

J.D. Power said that nationally, key factors of health plan member satisfaction are highest in areas of the country that have more competition among health plans.

On a regional basis, the study found that member satisfaction in cost and information and communication is significantly lower in areas where one insurer holds more than 50 percent of market share.

Kaiser facility in Kennesaw “Competition among health plans is good for members in that it forces carriers to fight for market share, and the best way to do that is with satisfied customers,” Greg Hoeg, vice president of U.S. insurance operations at J.D. Power, said in a statement. “In today’s health insurance markets, with

increased legal restrictions on profitability, carriers are shifting toward member satisfaction.”

Health insurers have focused on increasing membership to offset the effect of those changes, some of which resulted from the Affordable Care Act. That growth can come from acquisitions. Two giant insurance mergers are awaiting regulators’ approval — Anthem buying Cigna, and Aetna acquiring Humana.

Insurers “are paying particular attention to cost management and economies of scale, and one way to do that is to combine with other carriers,” Hoeg said.

“Competition is good for the market, but how that narrowing of the market will affect member satisfaction remains to be seen.”

HEALTH BRIEFS American Cancer Society seeks community health workers

The American Cancer society and Georgia Department of Public Health are working to find a new client navigator.

The community health worker would work in the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCP), part of the CDC’s program of the same name.

The the client navigator would perform community outreach and public education in order to promote breast and cervical cancer screening for at-risk women.

In addition, he or she will work with health departments and BCCP nurses in health clinics with appointment scheduling and follow-up.

Candidates for the position speak fluent Spanish and English and have strong written and verbal communication skills in these languages, as well as the ability to multitask several projects and grow relationships. Candidates must live in Gwinnett County, and being a cancer survivor is a plus.

The position is full time with benefits, including

By Marilynn Larkin calcium in the coronary percent of the women had in predicting the presence vacation and sick time.

Reuters arteries is a reason to “pay calcium in their breast Those interested can apof calcium in the coronary attention,” study co-author arteries, as shown by digi- arteries. Further, it did at ply at cancer.org/careers, and Mammograms perDr. Jagat Narula from the tal mammography. Those least as well, and in some search for position 20958. formed to check the health Icahn School of Medicine women were significases better, than standard of the breasts could also at Mount Sinai in New cantly older and had more risk predictors at identifygive clues to the health of York City told Reuters high blood pressure and ing women at high risk of the heart, researchers said. Health by email. chronic kidney disease heart disease.

That’s because the Narula and colleagues compared with women Senior author Dr. Laura amount of calcium in will report their findings who didn’t have breast Margolies told Reuters the arteries of the breast, April 3 at the American arterial calcium.

Health by email that after

By Madeline Kennedy which can be seen on College of Cardiology Coronary artery caldigital mammography, Reuters a digital mammogram, annual scientific session cium, as shown in the CT “Women should ask seems to reflect the in Chicago as well as in scans, was noted in 47.5 their radiologists if there Obstructive sleep apnea, amount of calcium in the JACC: Cardiovascular percent of the women, was any calcification in which wakes people many coronary arteries, which Imaging. who were also signifitheir breast arteries. This times a night when their supply blood to the heart.

For the study, the cantly older and had more information can then be Although women are airways become blocked, Mount Sinai team anahigh blood pressure, given to their primary commonly screened for lyzed heart disease risk chronic kidney disease care doctors to be used in could also raise the risk of breast cancer with mamfactors, such as high and diabetes compared conjunction with standard getting hurt during the day mography, there is no at work, a small Canadian cholesterol, high blood with the women who risk factors to determine routine screening test for study suggests. pressure, high blood didn’t have coronary if further evaluation (or heart disease. Calcium in sugar and smoking, in 292 artery calcium.

Of more than 1,200 sleep treatment) would be of the coronary arteries is clinic patients, those with women who underwent Subsequent analyzes benefit.” known to be an early sign both digital mammograrevealed that the presShe also noted that see- sleep apnea were twice as of heart disease. Finding phy and a chest computed ence of breast arterial ing images of calcification likely as others to suffer a a link between calcium tomography scan. calcium was about 70 in the arteries in the breast workplace injury and three in the breast arteries and times more likely to have They found that 42.5 percent accurate overall could be “the strongest one that was related to motivator for a woman failed vigilance — such as to take action to reduce tripping, falling or getting the chances of developburned — the researchers ing clinically significant report in the journal Thorax. cardiovascular disease.”

Patients with sleep apnea Dr. Margolies pointed • POSITIVE ENERGY tend to get very fragmented out that there is always • B-COMPLEX ENERGY the possibility of so-called sleep, noted senior study • SOURCE OF LIFE author Najib Ayas. “A lot false positives.

• JOINT SUPPORT of times people may not “Not all breast arterial remember being woken calcification is indicative SUPREME up, it’s like someone going of significant cardiovas2238 Snellville Plaza - Big Lots Shopping Center cular disease. And people in there and shaking them awake many times per 770.982.4333 • snellvillevitamins.com who are already being treated for cardiovascular hour,” said Ayas, an associ$ ate professor of medicine disease might not derive at the University of British any further benefit from $ Colombia in Vancouver. knowing that the arteries Find us on Facebook “They wake up and in the breast are calcified, Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 3/31/16. GDP they feel quite tired during too.”

Kaiser Permanente of Georgia had the highest patient satisfaction rating in its region for the seventh consecutive year, as compiled by J.D. Power.

Kaiser, which serves nearly 300,000 members in metro Atlanta and Athens, earned 765 of a possible 1,000 points in the survey of the South Atlantic region, which includes South Carolina and North Carolina.

Next highest in the region was Cigna, at 712, followed by Aetna at 694 and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, with 691.

The study by J.D. Power — famous for its automobile ratings — analyzes six factors: coverage and benefits, provider choice, information and communication,

Digital mammography may also reveal risk of heart disease

ChoiceOne Urgent Care clinic ribbon cutting April 7

Gwinnett residents in search of medical attention will soon have another place to find it: a new ChoiceOne Urgent Care in Hamilton Mill.

Gwinnett Medical center and ChoiceOne Urgent Care have partnered to provide local residents with a network of urgent care facilities, which will begin opening in April.

According to the Gwinnett Chamber website, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 to celebrate the opening of the first facility. The ribbon cutting itself will take place at 5:10 p.m.

The urgent care center will be open to patients on the following day, April 8.

The ChoiceOne centers will offer non-emergency services for conditions such as broken bones or infections, as well as sports and employment physicals, laboratory services and other services. Facilities will also take walk-in patients and provide referrals to Gwinnett Medical care providers.

The grand opening will take place at 2690 Hamilton Mill Road, Suite 200, in Buford.

— From staff reports

Study: Sleep apnea linked to work injury

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the daytime and we think that that’s probably what accounts for the increased risk,” Ayas told Reuters Health by email.

An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea and the vast majority of cases are undiagnosed, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.

With obstructive sleep apnea, a person’s airway collapses repeatedly during sleep, causing a brief period of not breathing, often followed by sudden gasping, coughing or snoring. This can occur hundreds of times per night and disrupts the brain’s normal sleep cycle, leading to daytime fatigue and other symptoms.

To examine the link between sleep apnea and workplace injuries, the study team looked at a subset of patients of the British Colombia Hospital Sleep Laboratory between May of 2003 and July 2011.

All 1,236 patients had come in to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea; 994 were diagnosed with the condition and 242 were not.

10A • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

Valor

•From Page 1A The teen got 15 stitches in her face; the grandma had broken bones in her neck.

“I think the most shocking thing about it was these were actual, true-blue victims,” Cortez said.

To be awarded for helping, he said, “recharges your battery.”

The win came with, among other things, a glass trophy. Also, tickets to an upcoming Jimmy Buffet concert at the Infinite Energy Center, which aren’t of much use to a “metal head” the likes of Cortez, but a nice gesture all the same.

The gesture — and giving credit where credit is due — is the purpose of the ceremony.

Given the subjects of the praise, the banquet can be intense with tales of bravery and pain: a 911 operator keeps it together as the young daughter of a woman who’s been stabbed picks up the phone and says she thinks her mother is dead; passersby spot girls drowning in the Chattahoochee River and devise a plan to save them; a police officer braves the heat of a burning car after a crash, cutting the seat belt to extract the victim only to realize they’re already gone.

Some stories are less intense and more amazing: a fire department battalion chief oversees more than 400 recruit classes, or an officer picking up 1,000 DUI suspects in a span of about five years.

Then there’s the peculiar tale of a cop who helped crack a string of burglaries by noticing a leaf over a neighbor’s peep hole. It

•From Page 1A

gwinnettdailypost.com

The winners of this year’s Medal of Valor pose for a photo after Thursday’s Valor Awards at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.

From left, the winners were Norcross Sgt. Joseph Harkleroad, who won the silver award, and gold winners Gwinnett County Police Sgt. Roger Bell and Officers Senior Daniel Bennett, Victor Cortez and Austin York after being awarded the Medal of Valor during Thursday’s Valor Awards at the Infinite Energy Forum in Duluth. (Photos: Kyle Hess)

MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for more photos of the event.

turned out the perpetrator used the trick to keep inquiring eyes from seeing him while robbing 70-plus apartments at the same complex.

The other winners Thursday were: Austin Anglin and Ryan Slusher — Public Safety Civilian Partnership Suwanee Officer Chance Belcher — Medal of Merit

contestants in the pageant, with Helen Brown, 84, Miss Gwinnett CountyHelen Haidack, 97, and Oustanding Teen, SavanCleopatra Barnett, 92, nah Mills, crowned her rounding out the field. Each and draped a red robe over contestant won an award. her shoulders. A bouquet Barnett was named the of roses and trophy were Most Zest for Life winner then handed to her as she while Brown won Best beamed brightly for the Sense of Humor and Haicheering audience. dack was named the first “It feels wonderful, it’s runner-up. the first time I’ve ever “This event furthers the won something like this,” resident’s identities, which Murphy said later on as are based on what we do or a tear began to roll down have accomplished,” GECC her cheek. “Every child Director Tamey Stith said. dreams of doing something “It provides our residents like this, and I just wanted new experiences and allows to be in at least one pagus to spotlight who they are eant in my life. … The said and from where they come. it was a lot of fun, and it Furthermore, it promotes was. I feel honored to have purpose and socialization, been chosen.” which are also critical life Murphy was one of four components.”

Gwinnett Officers Senior Joseph Boyd, Dylan Fields, Christian Matos, Kevin Robinson and Tyler C. Stevers — Lifesaving Award Benjamin Marlow II — Communications Person of the Year Lawrenceville police Crime Suppression Unit — Public Safety Unit of the Year Gwinnett Officer Senior Shawn Mycols — Public Safety Person of the Year Norcross Sgt. Joseph Harkleroad — Silver Medal of Valor

Officer Chance Belcher with the Suwanee Police Department smiles as he accepts the award for Medal of Merit from Gwinnett Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Carol Terry during Thursday’s Valor Awards at the Infinite Energy Forum in Duluth.

Pageant The contestants for the 2016 Ms. GECC Pageant were Helen Brown, Helen Haidack, Cleopatra Barnett and Colleen Murphy.

The pageant was held at the Gwinnett Extended Care Center on Thursday in Lawrenceville.

(Photo: Chris Roughgarden)

There was plenty of light-hearted humor on display at the pageant, though.

When Gwinnett Medical Center-Lawrenceville Chief Operating Officer Jay Dennard asked Brown why she wanted to be Ms. GECC, she quipped, “Be-

cause somebody pushed me out here,” referring to the North Gwinnett High School JROTC member who pushed her wheelchair into the pageant area.

“The annual pageant at Gwinnett Extended Care Center is one of the most

enjoyable events on our schedule because residents celebrate each other, they depart from their regular routine and it’s constructive,” Dennard said before the event.

He added, “through this event, we learn from our

residents and spotlight their experiences. Each year, I get more in return than I give as their experiences and excitement are humbling and inspiring.”

However, one of the more touching moments in the pageant was when Murphy shared a story about being in hospital with spinal meningitis when she was 8 years old.

She said Jesus visited her in the hospital and she found herself playing in a garden with a white picket fence. Afterward, she said, she quickly recovered and was able to go home three days later.

“I wanted to make sure he got the credit tonight,” she said. “He’s what I live for.”

sports

gwinnettdailypost.com

SECTION B • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

Akin leaves Parkview to be East Jackson head coach

By Will Hammock

replaces the legendary David The plan always cenBoyd. tered on Gwinnett.

Boyd David Akin and his coached wife Sarah, both Parkview Akin in David Akin teachers, love their school 1997-98, and love their house in his senior Grayson. But their expecseason at Berkmar. tations changed recently “Oh my gosh, yes we when Akin was named the planned to stay in Gwinhead boys basketball coach nett,” Akin said. “This is at East Jackson, where he home to me. This is home will.hammock@ gwinnettdailypost.com

Swarm look to get back on track

to Sarah. We always have our plans and God has his plans and you have to follow those. This was totally unexpected. We just assumed we would spend rest of our lives in Gwinnett. Gwinnett has been very good to us.”

Akin couldn’t pass up the opportunity at East Jackson, which has made strides the past few seasons under Boyd, who stepped down after this season and

plans to live at his home on St. Simon’s Island full time. Boyd has won six state championships at four different schools — Campbell, Tucker, Berkmar and Milton — and his assistant on Milton’s state title team was Akin.

Boyd led East Jackson to state playoff appearances his two seasons there, taking his final team to the region finals and to the program’s first ever home

state playoff game.

“You’re not supposed to follow a legend like everybody says,” Akin said. “But (Boyd’s) been able to instill a culture and discipline the past two years and that way when I’m stepping in, it’s not a huge culture shock. He already talked to the kids about discipline in school, at home, on the court. Even though he’s not as intense as he used to be, he’s still

pretty intense. So am I. He’s demanding and so am I. I’m very grateful he was there the past two years.”

Akin inherits a team that returns most of its contributors, as well as a strong group of incoming freshmen. The question mark is star point guard Drue Drinnon, rumored to be transferring to another school after Boyd stepped

See AKIN, Page 2B

Record collection

By Paul Thomas

paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

The Georgia Swarm’s offense has been held to fewer than 11 goals in just three games this season.

Unfortunately it’s happened the last two times out for the Swarm (4-7), who sit two games behind Rochester now for the final NLL East Division playoff spot. Georgia scored just eight goals in a loss at Saskatchewan two weeks ago and a season-low four to Rochester last Friday.

Georgia hosts Calgary tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Infinite Energy Arena as it looks to get back on track.

“If we finished that game against Rochester with only 40 shots at the net I’d be really concerned, but the fact is we had 80 shots on net,” Swarm head coach Ed Comeau said. “We weren’t on net very well and we didn’t shoot to our shooting plan very well. We can own that and we can try to work on being better this week. Our team has kind of come to expect our offense to score double digits every night and a night where we don’t do that we’re all kind of looking at each other wondering what happened. I think we talked about making sure we focus on the things that made us real good, but also what we’ve said was Rochester and Saskatchewan the last few years they’ve had two of the best defenses in the league. So we played two really good defense and didn’t have great nights, but we’re playing another good defense this week and hopefully we can bounce back and find the back of the net a little bit.”

Earlier this season, Georgia let a win slip through its fingers on the road against Calgary. Leading 8-3 at the half, Georgia gave up six third-quarter goals and fell 12-11.

Comeau said his team tried to protect its lead too early in the game during that first match rather than continuing to push the ball like it did earlier in the night.

“I thought we played real well,” he said. “We had a great half and started the third quarter out well and then like what a lot of teams do with the leads — Calgary has done it a couple times this year — we started trying to wilt the time away and playing not to lose. And you know Calgary is a veteran See SWARM, Page 2B

NLL LACROSSE Who: Calgary Roughnecks at Georgia Swarm When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Infinite Energy Arena TV: FOX Sports GO

Berkmar’s Jirah Simpkins competes in the girls 100-meter hurdles during last year’s Region 8-AAAAAA track and field championships at Archer High School in Lawrenceville. (Photo: Kyle Hess)

Jirah Simpkins leaving her mark at Berkmar

By Paul Thomas

paul.thomas@ gwinnettdailypost.com

LILBURN — Every year Berkmar track and field coaches Johnny Burdette and Gerald Williams watch the school’s basketball teams in hopes of identifying an athlete or two that could help them in the spring.

Four years ago, a freshman guard with elite quickness caught their eye.

Jirah Simpkins was starting on varsity for the Patriots and Burdette and Williams knew she would be a boost to the track team.

“She wasn’t going to run track,” said Burdette, the girls head coach. “We go to the basketball games and she was a freshman starting

Berkmar’s Jirah Simpkins lands in the sand during the Class AAAAAA triple jump final of the GHSA girls state track meet at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany last season.

(Photo: David Welker)

and she was so quick and we were like, ‘We might need her.’ … Then she

came out and the rest has been history. It’s unbelievable because there’s a lot

of kids that do that. Like, we want them to come and they never come, or they

come one time and do a workout and never come back.”

The rest has been history indeed. This year for the Patriots, the 5-foot-6 Simpkins averaged a team-high 11.6 points, 6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game as she closed out her basketball career as a four-year starter.

But her biggest impact on the school during her career has come on the track as a part of six school records. She currently holds the individual record in the 100-meter hurdles, pole vault, triple jump and high jump, as well as being a member of record-setting teams in the 400-meter and 1,600-meter relays.

See SIMPKINS, Page 7B

Brookwood among the favorites at county meet

By David Friedlander

Community Stadium.

Aside from both Brookwood teams coming into What: 2016 Gwinnett County Track and Field the meet as defending Championships As a general rule, both champions, the Broncos When: Saturday and Monday Brookwood boys track and Where: Mill Creek High School swept the team titles at the Schedule: field coach Mark Kelly and Jerry Arnold Challenge on Saturday Broncos girls coach Kelly the same track earlier this Varsity field events — 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Swanson are in complete month, and both are hopVarsity 1,600-meter finals — 10:30 a.m. agreement when it comes ing to carry over momenJV running events preliminaries — 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to the Gwinnett County tum from those victories.

Varsity running event preliminaries, JV field events — Championships.

“Hopefully, we don’t 2:30 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.

“County is a meet in have a let down,” Kelly which anything can hapsaid. “Hopefully we come pen,” Swanson said.

Kelly’s boys being the field events and finals in back ready to compete.

For the most part, both teams to beat in there the 1,600 meters and 3,200 We were pretty pumped have a point, though respective divisions when relay, plus preliminary up (for the Jerry Arnold there are signs pointing the 2016 county meet gets heats in the sprint events, Challenge), and I’d really to Swanson’s girls and underway with the varsity Saturday at Mill Creek like to see us duplicate

david.friedlander@ gwinnettdailypost.com

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

that effort.”

The Brookwood boys should bring plenty of top contenders across the board into this weekend’s meets, though Kelly is looking for strong performances Saturday from jumpers Nate Blackmon, Drew Walker and Tyrese Ivory and distance specialist Zach Israel to get the team off to a good start and set the stage for sprinters like hurdler Myles Scott.

A good start will also be See COUNTY, Page 2B

2B • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

Superstar surprise

Falcons re-sign Philip Wheeler The Sports Xchange

the team on Oct. 20 last season and emerged as a Linebacker Philip steady contributor for the Wheeler re-signed with defense. He finished with the Atlanta Falcons.

29 tackles, a sack and Terms were not disclosed. one forced fumble while The Falcons also appearing in nine games played host to Baltimore with two starts, and had Ravens free agent linetwo games with doublebacker Courtney Upshaw. digit tackles.

The 6-foot-2, Wheeler, 31, was 245-pound Wheeler originally a third-round originally signed with pick (No. 93 overall) by

•From Page 1B

Erin Boley, left, of Elizabethtown High School, is surprised with the 2015-16 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year trophy by 2014 WNBA MVP Maya Moore on Wednesday in Elizabethtown, Ky. Moore won the award in 2007 while at Collins Hill.

The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence as well as high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court.

(Photo: Gatorade)

•From Page 1B

team, they’ve got lots of guys who can score. Curtis Dickson is an unbelievable scorer, can hurt you in lots of different ways and you’ve got other guys that can do the same there.

They’re a team that’s explosive. I think their goal tending and defense has been better in the last six weeks, they’re going to be a challenge for us. They’re playing pretty good with a lot of confidence and we need to kind of get ourselves back where we were playing — certainly offensively — and get some confidence this weekend.”

Despite its recent slump, the Swarm’s offense still ranks third-best in the league with 137 goals scored. Comeau said his team has still yet to put together a night where the offense, defense and transition game are all clicking at the same time.

He hopes it will come over the next four weeks during this current homes-

•From Page 1B

Swarm

Georgia Swarm’s Jesse King (19) attempts a shot while defended by Toronto Rock’s Brodie Merrill (37) earlier this seasonr at Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth (Photo: Kyle Hess)

tand. Comeau said winning the next four games in Duluth aren’t just important to the team’s playoff chances this season but are also big in terms of making a good impression on local fans during this inaugural season in Georgia.

“It’s huge for us in terms of our team and this season,” he said. “Playing at home we want to create a home floor advantage for us and we want to be a tough place to play and unfortunately

we haven’t done that to this point. We talked about that this week and we really need to play with a sense of urgency that we maybe haven’t done yet. Long term, we want to be successful in Gwinnett and we know having a good product and winning some home games is going to certainly hope in that regard. We know how important it is not just in the short term, certainly in the long term for our team and organization.”

County

figures to be the favorite behind a team that has been essential to help the Bron- just as strong, including cos try to keep a host of running away with the team contenders off their heels. title in the Jerry Arnold Archer and Shiloh figChallenge. ures to be post a challenge The Broncos have been in the sprint events, with strong across the board the Tigers’ Aramis Bryant a behind jumper and hurmajor factor in the 100 and dler Brianna Isles, printer 200 meters, while the Gen- Caitlan Tate and distance erals’ 400-meter sprinter runner MacKenzie Ellison.

Christian Whitehead and Perhaps most impressive 1,600 relay team are each is that Swanson believes coming of titles at the Jerry her team has yet to reach Arnold event. its peak.

Other top individuals to “This is really the first watch include Mountain meet we’ve had everybody View’s Tyler Barber in the healthy,” said Swanson, 800 and 1,600, Collins whose Broncos will be tryHill Elijah Miller in the ing for their fourth straight 100, Archer thrower Sam county team title. “This Wright and Mill Creek group has contributed in multi-event competitor all areas. We’ve taking in Edmond Graham. points from the field events, Meanwhile in the girls from the sprints, from the division, Brookwood also distances. It’s been more of

a team feel to it.”

Still, Swanson knows they Broncos will also have to be on their toes, especially with teams like Dacula, which has been particularly strong in the field events behind pole vaulter Rachel Sherrill and sister throwers Chelsea and Elise Igberaese, plus Julianna Wagner, Archer, which has a strong set of sprinters led by Jacqui Switzer and host of other challengers.

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down. But Drinnon, a sophomore with a pack of top Division I offers, is still enrolled at East Jackson, Akin said.

The new East Jackson coach spent the past three seasons at Parkview, where his wife Sarah (a member of Parkview’s 2003 state championship basketball team) has coached girls basketball, softball and cheerleading.

Sarah plans to transfer to East Jackson as well.

Before taking the East Jackson job, Akin was with Milton for three seasons, with the University of Georgia women’s basketball program for three seasons and with Agnes Scott College for two seasons. He also worked for two years as a community coach at Athens Academy.

During the summers, he coached the Gwinnett Majic semipro team. He now runs the popular Team Belief League in the summer at the Suwanee Sports Academy.

He’s been on the path to becoming a head coach for years but was equally happy to make an impact as an assistant. He said he relishes the opportunity to work with young people, citing the impact his coaches had on him after his father passed away from cancer when

the Indianapolis Colt in 2008. He started 24 of the 61 games he appeared in for the Colts before joining the Oakland Raders in 2012 and then spending two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Wheeler spent last offseason with the San Francisco 49ers but did not make the team out of training camp.

Akin THE AKIN FILE Name: David Akin New position: Head boys basketball coach at East Jackson Former position: Assistant boys basketball coach at Parkview Age: 35 Career record: First head coaching job Education: Graduated from Berkmar High School in 1998; earned communications degree from BrewtonParker College; earned sports management master’s degree from the Universiy of Georgia Background: Played basketball at Berkmar and at Brewton-Parker; helped Berkmar to a state runnerup finish as a senior in 1998; his game-winning shot in a 1998 subregion tournament elimination game made Berkmar’s state playoff run possible; has been an assistant at Parkview the past three seasons; previous was a Milton assistant for three seasons under David Boyd, one of his high school coaches at Berkmar; was an assistant coach for two seasons at Agnes Scott College; served as the UGA women’s basketball program’s video coordinator for three years, in addition to helping Athens Academy as a community coach; coached the Gwinnett Majic basketball team during the summer; also runs the popular Team Belief League in the summer at the Suwanee Sports Academy; wife Sarah also teaches and coaches at Parkview, where she played on Parkview’s 2003 state championship basketball team Family: Wife, Sarah

he was 9.

“Some people truly love coaching and some people kind of just do it because it’s kind of fun,” Akin said. “I’m very serious about it. I firmly believe our creator created me to be a basketball coach and to be a positive influence on the kids and help them become great men one day, to become great fathers. I grew up without a dad, and this is really important to me. It’s so much

more than about winning state championships. I just get passionate about it because it’s in me to do this.

It’s not just, ‘Hey, let’s play basketball,’ and when the season’s over, it’s over.

It means more to me and those kids mean more to me than what they can do on the basketball court.

Growing up without a dad shapes you in a unique way, and I want to show them that I’m trying to be a dad for their kids.”

ondeck Prep Schedule

Today

BASEBALL

4:30 p.m. — Providence and Hebron at Cole Complex 6 p.m. — Chestatee at Buford 6 p.m. — Collins Hill at Norcross 6 p.m. — Dacula at Berkmar 6 p.m. — Duluth at Meadowcreek 6 p.m. — Grayson at Central 6 p.m. — Mountain View at Mill Creek 6 p.m. — North at Peachtree Ridge 6 p.m. — Shiloh at Brookwood 6:30 p.m. — Archer at Parkview

LACROSSE

• Duluth boys at Parkview 5 p.m. — Buford girls at Brookwood 6 p.m. — Brookwood boys at Pace 6 p.m. — East Paulding at Meadowcreek 6:30 p.m. — Buford boys at North Springs 7 p.m. — Mill Creek boys at Archer 7:30 p.m. — Mill Creek girls at Chattahoochee 7:30 p.m. — Sequoyah boys at Duluth

SOCCER

5:30 p.m. — Archer at South 5:30 p.m. — Berkmar at Central 5:30 p.m. — Brookwood at Dacula 5:30 p.m. — Duluth at Collns Hill 5:30 p.m. — Meadowcreek at North 5:30 p.m. — Norcross at Mill Creek 5:30 p.m. — Parkview and Wando (S.C.) in Charleston 5:30 p.m. — Mountain View at Peachtree Ridge 6 p.m. — Dunwoody boys at GAC 6 p.m. — Lanier at Clarke Central

TENNIS

3 p.m. — Tennis Challenge Tournament at Rhodes Jordan Saturday

BASEBALL

2 p.m. — Wesleyan at GAC

GOLF

8 a.m. — Buford boys in Warrior Swing at Mossy Creek 8 a.m. — Gwinnett Girls Open at Chateua Elan 1:30 p.m. — Buford girls in Lady Titan Classic at Lane Creek

LACROSSE

2 p.m. — Grayson boys at Peachtree Ridge

SOCCER

11 a.m. — Parkview and Fort Dochester (S.C.) in Charleston, S.C.

The Home Teams

Gladiators

Swarm

Hawks

TODAY NEXT UPCOMING

Off

South Carolina at South Carolina Sat, 7;05 p.m.

Tue, 7:05 p.m.

97.7-FM 97.7-FM

Calgary Buffalo Colorado 7:30 p.m.

April 2, 7 p.m.

April 10, 2 p.m, FOX Sports GO FOX Sports GO FOX Sports GO

Milwaukee at Detroit at Chicago 8 p.m.

Sat, 7:30 p.m.

Mon, 8 p.m.

FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE/92.9-FM FSSE = FOX Sports Southeast, FSS = FOX Sports South

On TV

Today

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Iowa State vs. Virginia CBS 7:15 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame TBS 9:30 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Gonzaga vs. Syracuse CBS 9:45 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Indiana vs. North Carolina TBS

MLB

1 p.m. — Preseason Houston at Atlanta FSSO 1 p.m. — Preseason St. Louis at New York Met ESPN

SOCCER

5 p.m. — Men’s U-23: Colombia vs. United States. Olympic Qualifying playoff. From Barranquilla, Colombia. FS1

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Syracuse vs. South Carolina ESPN 7 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Washington vs. Kentucky ESPN2 9 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Stanford vs. Notre Dame ESPN 9 p.m. — NCAA Tournament Tennessee vs. Ohio State ESPN2

Sports Calendar

GOLF

April 12: The Norcross Touchdown Club’s annual fundraiser golf tournament will be at Rivermont Country Club. Cost is $150 per golfer and sponsorships are available. Shotgun start is at 1 p.m. For more information and registration, go to www.norcrossbluedevilsfootball.org.

April 18: The Mountain View football program will host its third annual fundraiser golf tournament at Legacy on Lanier Golf Club. Cost is $100 per golfer.

Shotgun start is at 1 p.m. Special prizes and drawings also are planned. For more information or to register, go to www.mtnviewfootball.com/golf. Email questions to jaws2920@icloud.com.

BASKETBALL

April 18: Lawrenceville Youth Association will host a meeting for the upcoming basketball season. The meeting will include filling new board member positions.

Feedback

• Will Hammock, Sports Editor: will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com • Christine Troyke, Staff Writer: christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com • David Friedlander, Staff Writer: david.friedlander@gwinnettdailypost.com • Paul Thomas, Staff Writer: paul.thomas@gwinnettdailypost.com • Scott Smith, Senior Correspondent: scott.smith@gwinnettdailypost.com • To report scores, call 770-339-5850

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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 3B

Getting To Know … Brad Blackmon Brad Blackmon has spent pretty much his entire life around Gwinnett County basketball.

A 1990 graduate of Parkview High School, the 43-year-old played two seasons in the Panthers’ program before eventually embarking on a career in coaching that has taken him from Dacula Middle School, where he led the school’s girls team to two county championships in 13 years, to Mountain View High School. After serving as an assistant since the school opened in 2010, he recently was tapped to succeed retiring Jackie Lindquist to keep the Bears program on its steadily upward trend. Blackmon recently spoke with Staff Writer David Friedlander about a variety of subjects, including his roots in Gwinnett basketball and the connection between high school basketball and their middle school programs.

Parkview grad and longtime Mountain View assistant Brad Blackmon has been promoted to the girls basketball head coach. (Staff Photo: David Friedlander)

work on it every day.

When you (coach in) middle school, you don’t start until October.

It’s just that you’ve got to build off of what Coach Lindquist has done, but you’ve also got to do it your way, as well. So, DF: There’s also deal- you’ve got to change it ing with a difference in in that respect. Our team age and maturity levels theme this year is going between middle school- to be the idea of unity DF: So, you played your high school ball at ers and high schoolers … within every piece to adjust to, isn’t there? of the program — your Parkview under Steve BB: You know, it Richardson during some varsity program, your JV wasn’t a huge adjustment program, your freshman of the most successful because I taught eighthseasons in the proprogram — just so you gram’s history. What do grade for 13 years. So can keep feeding that in it’s kind of like a friend you think you took out there, and then brining in of mine said: The thing of that experience and Twin Rivers (Middle) and about middle school is applied to your coachyou’ve got some of the trying to keep (the kids) ing philosophy?

Jones (Middle); students BB: It was pretty good. in their seats, and high coming over here. So school, it’s trying to keep hopefully, that will start I played my ninth- and 10th-grade year (with the them from falling out of to build that process.

Panthers). So, I didn’t get their seats. (Laughs) That helped me out; I was like, all the way to my junior DF: That’s where ‘That makes me relax,’ or senior years. It was your experience coachone of those things where because you go in teach- ing in middle school has to come in handy, it kind of helped you out. ing something you’ve right? Having coached never taught before, like You had to understand on that level before, I I teach AP World (Hiswhat needed to be acwould think it should complished, what needed tory now); that’s a big be fairly easy for you to be done through those adjustment going from teaching Georgia History to coordinate with the times. So that’s the excoaches of your feeder to the world. Plus, (the perience I took through programs and get on the AP students) want to be that. It was pretty good. same page. there, and they expect BB: And I want to you to know your stuff.

DF: I guess it also And if you don’t, they’ll work with Coach (Katy) taught you not to give call you out on it. Eighth- Pennington. She does a up on something you graders, they’re not going phenomenal job at Twin want to accomplish.

Rivers. I want to work to call you out. So, that BB: Absolutely. I’ll with her and try to give was big adjustment. be honest with you. My her the ideas of what you eighth-grade year at Tricwant to see in her proDF: So, you came kum (Middle School), gram to help our prohere with Jackie when I got cut Day 1. Then, I she started a brand new gram, as well. It’s a big tried out for the ninthsuccess to get those kids grade team (at Parkview), program from scratch. to come over here and So, that was another I worked hard over the summer and made it. So, big adjustment for you, work at that. And yeah, coaching middle school, wasn’t it? it kind of keeps those BB: Yeah. When I first you know exactly what dreams going. … Then I started coaching 9 and 10 came here, you’re expect- needed to be done. year olds during college, ing to have a big turnout DF: So, what is the for girls coming out to and that kind of sparked most important thing my interest in (coaching). play basketball. And you want your middle Coach Jackie had done schoolers coming into DF: Which brings up a great job of building the program to know the progression of your and trying to grab kids (out of the halls) to come about your program? coaching career. You BB: Well, I want them in. Then when you come started coaching those to understand that No. 1, in during the summer, young kids and then you can come to me at there’s not many kids moved up to middle any time. I want them to here who want to play school for 13 years beknow that basketball is fore starting to coaching basketball. Then, you important, but I also want on the high school level get out there and have them to understand that a skeleton JV team and fairly recently. Now, … i want (them) to feel a skeleton ninth-grade you’ve been coaching team. And two years ago, comfortable in this prohigh school for a few gram. I don’t want you years now, so you’ve ob- you didn’t have a ninthto come in and think that viously made the adjust- grade team. So you run the gamut (of situations). you’ve got to start varsity ment. But how tough for four years (in order to It’s just different when was it in the beginning you’re playing in Region be a success). I want you to adjust to the differto understand, let’s build 7-AAAAAA, you’re ence between coaching it together. Let’s look at playing (players like) middle schoolers and Diamond DeShields, and that unity within there. high schoolers? you’re getting blown out I think that’s the biggest BB: It was a big by 50 or 60 points. Then key to it all. You don’t difference. I was gowant them to be petriyou see a massive turning from coaching at fied and not want to stay around within a couple Dacula Middle School, of years. All of a sudden, within the program. It’s and I coached one year hard to keep girls in the Coach Lindquist is takat Dacula High School ing this team to the state program for four years, under Travis Young as a tournament four years in and that’s what you want JV coach. The speed of to be able to establish. a row. the game was different, You say, ‘Look, it’s a and in middle school, if four-year program. Let’s DF: And while this you can stop one person, build it together.’” year’s team was a little you’re pretty good. But younger than the previwhen you get into high DF: Especially in this ous two or three years, school ball, you’ve got to stop five (people). You you still made the Sweet day and age when players are moving around have to make adjustments Sixteen, with most of so much. I’d think that on that. You had to make those players coming would make it even back. So you’re stepadjustments on how the speed (of the game) was more important to ping into a pretty good during the game. These establish a relationship situation. girls are here to play to with your middle school BB: I feel like I’m in win, and you’ve got to players early. a pretty good position.

BB: Right, and that’s the thing Coach Lindquist would let me do. She’d let me go to them at school and say, ‘Hey, come on.’ I’d go to their tryouts and go to their practices and I’d talk to them. Even when you’d come to their games — I went to a playoff game at Peachtree Ridge — just so they know that they should feel supported by the team they’re going to come to next. That’s one thing I want to make sure they understand, to build that support from the high school (program).

So they’ll feel like, ‘Hey, this is going to be kind of fun when I get to the high school level. It’s going to be a great experience.

DF: So in that respect, it’s really not that big a leap for you to step back to being a head coach again after being an assistant for the last six years, especially since you’ve known most of these kids throughout that time.

BB: That helps. You know what they can do.

You’ve seen them in practice, and that does help. It’s not like I’m coming in from somewhere new and (coaching) girls I don’t know.

And I think the girls know me, too. They know my personality.

They know the way I’m going to work. So that kind of helps. I’m trying to establish myself, as well. That becomes the fun part.

DF: Speaking of establishing yourself, let’s go back to something you mentioned a little while ago. You said you wanted to continue to build on what Jackie established with the program, but that you want to kind of put your own stamp on the program, as well. Do you have anything specific in mind in that respect?

BB: One, I want to be more aggressive on defense. I think we’re going to be more guard-heavy.

So, I think we need to be more aggressive fullcourt, not just threequarter court. I want to be able to establish our guards and get after the ball because we struggled this year sometimes getting the ball down the floor. So if we can establish that defensive wise … And I’ve talked to some of my big girls and said, ‘Look, it’s not just inside now. I want you shooting outside, too.’

So, that’s one of the big stamps I want to put in there, and it’s not going to be one of those offenses where we’re going to go dot-to-dot. I want them to be able to feel and react to the game.

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4B • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

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Brookwood’s Zimmerman RG3 signs with Browns called up to U.S. U-23 team The Sports Xchange

From Staff Reports

Brookwood grad Walker Zimmerman, now a defender for Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas, will be with the U.S. U-23 National Team for its crucial two-legged playoff series against Colombia for a spot in the this summer’s Olympic Games in Brazil.

Zimmerman, 22, will travel with the U-23 team to face Colombia in the first leg today in Barranquilla, Colombia’s Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez at 5 p.m. The match will be shown live on FS1.

The return leg is set for Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. It will air live on ESPN2 following the full national team’s contest against Guatemala. The winner of the USA-Colombia series will advance to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this August.

Zimmerman scored a crucial goal and penalty

FC Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman (25), a Brookwood grad, pumps his fist as he walks off the pitch following a recent game against the Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium. Zimmerman is with the U.S. Under-23 National Team for its key two-game stretch against Colombia. (Photo: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports)

kick in last season’s MLS playoffs vs. the Seattle Sounders to propel FC Dallas to MLS’ Western Conference finals. Outside of club soccer, he has represented the U.S. at the U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels and has also served as team captain.

Before joining MLS, Zimmerman was a twotime National Soccer

Coaches Association of America All-American during his career at Furman. The 6-foot-3 Zimmerman was a first-round selection, seventh overall,

by FC Dallas in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, which he entered early after two college seasons.

He has played in 40 matches with 26 starts during his FC Dallas career.

IN BRIEF Noni Thompkins for Real Madrid in Spain. verbally commits to Tennessee Tech Former Buford coach Whitehart Wesleyan junior Noni Thompkins has made a hired at Etowah

His first Buford team was 24-9 and state runner-up, the first of two trips to the state championship game.

He took three of his teams to the Final Four. commitment to the TennesHis first four teams won see Tech women’s volleyFormer Buford coach 22 or more games and his ball program.

Allen Whitehart has been final Buford team went 17Thompkins helped the hired as the new head boys 13, finishing as the Region Wolves to a state champibasketball coach at Etowah 8-AAAA runner-up and onship as a freshman, sat in Cherokee County. losing in the second round out her sophomore season Whitehart coached of the playoffs. with a knee injury and Buford to five state playPrior to coaching at earned all-area honors last off appearances before Buford, Whitehart spent season. She had 209 kills resigning after the 2014seven seasons at Centenand 92 blocks as a junior.

15 season. The Wolves nial, including four as head Thompkins’ brother, won nine or fewer games coach. His career record is Trey, played basketball at the three seasons before 212-68 and he also reached Wesleyan and Georgia, and Whitehart’s arrival, but he the state finals as Centennow plays professionally fielded a consistent winner. nial’s head coach.

Quarterback Robert Griffin III signed with the Cleveland Browns, a two-year contract worth up to $22 million including incentives.

The base of the deal is $7.5 million per season in 2016 and 2017, NFL Network reported.

Griffin, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Washington Redskins, was released before his fifth-year option hit the books at more than $15 million. Griffin was replaced as the starting quarterback in Washington before the 2015 season began by Kirk Cousins, who was retained in March with the Redskins’ franchise tag.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Dawg Pound and build something here in Cleveland,” Griffin said. “I’m just excited to come in and compete. Nothing’s ever been given to me in my life. I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team.”

The Browns cut ties with Johnny Manziel and their QB picture is still developing.

Josh McCown is under contract but would be 35 before the start of the 2016 season. He could be a candidate to be traded, but Griffin didn’t play much last season and is more of a reclamation project than a readymade fix for the Browns.

“Confidence is the No. 1 key when it comes to playing quarterback in the league, aside from just the things that God blessed you with,” Griffin said on a conference call Thursday.

“I think my confidence will continually grow as I continue to work with my teammates coming up on April 4 and trusting the guys around me. They’ve got some special players

Former Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was signed by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.

(Photo: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports)

there that want to win now, and I look forward to growing with them, talking with them and just not really putting everything on my shoulders to try to do it by myself. I know that those guys there can play, and I’ve just go to help them show that.”

Cleveland also owns the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft and sent a large presence, headlined by vice president Sashi Brown and head coach Hue Jackson, to the pro day workout of North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz in Fargo.

“We are excited to add Robert to our team,” Brown said. “Robert possesses a unique skill set at the quarterback position.

He has played at a high level in this league and is intent on doing everything in his power to return to that level on a consistent basis. After meeting with him, having him work out for us and doing our diligent research, we felt it was right to grant him an opportunity with our organization. We were able to see and feel his passion and commitment to re-establishing himself as a starting quarterback in this league and his embrace of the hard work that will be is essential to his development.”

The Browns were

also highly visible at Cal quarterback Jared Goff’s workout last week.

Solving the quarterback pecking order remains a mission for a franchise that has failed to find a permanent solution at the position for nearly two decades. The next starter for the Browns would be the 25th since Cleveland’s franchise was restored in 1999.

Cleveland showed some interest in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, with Jackson being a vocal supporter, but the price tag for a trade was high.

Bears re-sign WR Thompson The Chicago Bears retained receiver/returner Deonte Thompson by agreeing to terms on a oneyear deal on Thursday.

Thompson had two catches for 81 yards in seven games for the Bears last season. He excelled on kickoff returns by averaging 29.2 yards, second in the NFL behind Cordarrelle Patterson (31.2) of the Minnesota Vikings.

Thompson has played in 21 NFL games over four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2012-13), Buffalo Bills (2014) and the Bears.

He has 17 career receptions for 228 yards and a kickoff return average of 27.8.

INGRAM: Kyle Busch backslides to pre-championship form

By Jonathan Ingram The Sports Xchange

The Kyle Busch story might be strange if it were not so familiar. For years, he either missed the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship or sank like a stone once the postseason began. Last year, the very talented driver overcame severe injuries to his leg and foot to stage a stirring championship drive and finally got the longpredicted champion’s trophy.

And now the reigning Sprint Cup champion is accusing NASCAR of fixing races — or at least conspiring to prevent him from winning. It is the sort of petulant response in the face of adversity that made it such a long trek to the first championship for Busch. That’s because Busch so often failed to adjust to circumstances over the course of a race when things went wrong such as pit crew errors or the officiating didn’t go his way.

To recap Saturday’s events, Busch was leading the Xfinity race by a wide margin when his left front tire blew headed through Turn 1 on the white flag lap, allowing Austin Dillon to come from nearly a half a lap behind to eventually pass him and take the victory.

From runner-up Busch’s viewpoint, NASCAR should have thrown a caution flag, which would have given him the victory since a yellow flag on the white flag lap ends the race.

The circumstances were odd. Many drivers were trying to stretch their fuel mileage and tire wear to the finish when Busch’s front tire

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch during the Good Sam 500 at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this season. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

let loose. That’s why the field was strung out and the outcome remained in doubt.

Daniel Suarez briefly passed Busch for the lead before running out of fuel. For his part, Busch did his best to block Dillon approaching the checkered flag despite being on three wheels.

Since Busch elected to skip the post-race media conference, his only comments came from a radio transmission, which was covered by Fox Sports 1. “Debris is all over the race track and they don’t throw a yellow,” he said from the cockpit. “I’m just so pleased with you, NASCAR. Thanks. You all are awesome. Fixing races.”

Did NASCAR conspire to take the victory away from Busch — who was gunning for his fourth straight Xfinity Series win?

NASCAR generally tries to give fans a green flag finish. Also, if an incident does not require an

ambulance — and Busch was able to complete the race — then there’s no pressing need to slow the field in terms of driver safety. As for debris, his Joe Gibbs Toyota tire shed rubber, but it did not pose much danger to the other competitors on the track for the remainder of one lap.

And finally, NASCAR is rarely inclined to throw a yellow flag that allows the driver who brought it out to benefit. That lends itself to race-fixing by teams and drivers. If a driver is in the Lucky Dog position but brings out a yellow flag, for instance, then that driver does not get to return to the lead lap.

So Busch is not on firm ground when he claimed in the heat of the moment that NASCAR conspired against him. And, there’s no further explanation of his own point of view since he skipped the postrace media conference.

But there’s a wealth of evidence over the years

that Busch has trouble handling adversity like, well, a champion.

The world has been — and evidently continues to be — out to get Busch (when it’s not trying to get his older brother Kurt, who has had similar tantrums).

Last year’s championship was not about Kyle Busch beating everybody, apparently, but beating NASCAR, too. (Although to hear Busch’s point of view, maybe NASCAR thought it was finally his year to win the title.)

The “fixing” accusation made by Busch is the lowest any competitor can throw at NASCAR. It’s more than the equivalent of bumping a Major League Baseball umpire or shoving an NBA referee. The conspiracy theorists generally work overtime without any help from the competitors suggesting that calls by officials are less about judgment and instead are about dictating winners and losers.

(A word here for the conspiracy theorists on fixing races. NASCAR desperately needs Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sports’ most popular driver by a wide margin, to be competitive and winning races. That’s happening currently, but what about the 2009, 2010 and 2011 winless seasons? If NASCAR dictates winners, wouldn’t Earnhardt Jr. have gotten the nod during this long dry spell when TV ratings and attendance were slipping?)

The anger from Busch and the conspiracy theorists all work on the same wavelength. It’s a way to vent anger about the people in charge — not much different than yelling, “Kill the umpire.”

It may feel good, but is hardly a rational process.

The sarcasm from Busch, which sure smells like sour grapes, and the disagreement with the non-call are part of sports. That’s enough to sustain the passion and color that any sport needs from its competitors, including NASCAR. As has been argued, the sport needs that opportunity for expression. But the “fixing” comment was out of bounds and clearly detrimental when it comes from the mouth of a reigning champion.

In addition to fining Busch for not attending the post-race media conference as required for second-place and thirdplace drivers, Busch was fined $10,000 for “Disparaging the sport and/or NASCAR’s leadership” and placed on a four-race probation.

It remains to be seen if Busch apologizes after the off weekend for Easter when teams gather for the next race in Mar-

tinsville, Va. That’s what a champion would do.

Even a tweet will suffice. If the “new” Kyle Busch who emerged from his trials with injury last year and the birth of a son is for real, an apology is what one would expect.

Patrick, Busch fined for incidents Danica Patrick was fined $20,000 and Kyle Busch was penalized $10,000 for incidents that occurred last weekend.

Patrick drew her fine for walking toward Kasey Kahne’s car to gesture at the driver as he drove during a caution during Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Fontana. Kahne had turned Patrick’s car into the wall.

Busch’s fine was for failing to conduct postgame interviews after Saturday’s Xfinity Series race.

Drivers involved in an accident are not allowed to leave the area of the vehicle, a rule strictly enforced since Aug. 2014 when Kevin Ward Jr. was killed. The 20-year-old Ward approached the vehicle of Tony Stewart and was struck by Stewart’s car and was tragically killed.

Kahne took blame for the accident involving Patrick but was not penalized.

Busch blew a tire and finished second in the Xfinity race and was requested to make an appearance in the media center.

He accused NASCAR of fixing the race in his in-car radio when a caution flag didn’t come out after he blew the tire.

Busch was leading on the final lap when the tire gave out.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 5B

Nesbitt leads Glads to do-or-die OT win

By Christine Troyke christine.troyke@ gwinnettdailypost.com

DULUTH — Weeks ago, Atlanta Gladiators head coach Andy Brandt said the team’s best players to be its best players if they were going to get back into the playoff race.

On Thursday, they were.

Captain Derek Nesbitt and Bruins prospect Eric Neiley broke out of long goalless droughts to get the Gladiators beyond regulation and Tyler Murovich scored the gamewinner in overtime to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Murovich sprung on a breakaway by a long pass from Nesbitt, skated in alone on South Carolina goalie Vitek Vanecek with barely a minute left in overtime.

Murovich waited out the Washington Capitals’ second-round draft pick and slid the puck five-hole for a 3-2 victory over the red-hot Stingrays at Infinite Energy Arena.

He tipped his head back in exaltation and slammed into the glass as the Gladiators poured off the bench to mob him.

“We said after the game, it was a complete team effort,” Brandt said.

“It was 18 guys — obviously led by our captain and then good for Murv to jam it home in OT. He sees an opportunity and he finishes. Big-time players come up at big-time moments.

“Murv is the kind of guy you want to put in those situations. You can trust him defensively and you know if the puck is on his stick, there’s a good chance he’s going to cash in.”

Matt Ginn made 21 big

Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) brings the ball up court against Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) during the second half in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. (Photo: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)

Atlanta Gladiators Derek Nesbitt (17) and Chris Auger (8) celebrate linemate Eric Neiley’s goal in front of South Carolina goalie Vitek Vanecek on Thursday at Infinite Energy Arena. (Photo: Amanda Hertel)

saves and the Gladiators (31-27-5-2, 69 points) got within three points of a postseason spot.

The Stingrays, who have earned points in nine straight in a rocket ride to the top of the South Division standings, needed two points to clinch their own spot. They return to Atlanta on Saturday for the rematch of a game they led once and only briefly.

After doling out some physical punishment in the first period, the Gladiators broke through to grab a 1-0 lead at 12:22 of the second. Neiley roofed a steeply angled shot from the post over Vanecek’s glove. On contract with the Providence Bruins, Neiley celebrated his first goal since Feb. 17 with a double fist pump and an exuberant shout. “(Nesbitt) and (Chris) Auger were battling behind the net and working to recover a loose puck,”

Brandt said. “Neiley was the beneficiary of two guys working hard to get it out to him in front.”

The 1-0 lead, hard-won after 32 scoreless minutes, lasted less than four minutes. South Carolina tied it on an odd-man rush finished by Brent Cameron’s deflection of a cross-crease feed at 16:16.

The Stingrays (38-18-63, 85 points) took a potentially deal-breaking lead at 14:14 of the third period.

On the power play, Austin Fyten put a bullet into the back of the net and, seemingly, into the Gladiators playoff aspirations.

“At a time like that, it’s easy for a fragile group to get down on themselves,” Brandt said. “But the message on the bench was ‘We’re fine. Let’s stick with the process. We’ve got plenty of time to get ours.’

“As a coaching staff, it was refreshing to hear the guys taking charge them-

selves and not be denied.

They wanted this win tonight and they earned it the hard way.”

Nesbitt, who hadn’t scored in 13 games, stepped up into the role he expects himself to play.

On a scramble in front, Nesbitt jammed the puck home just 41 seconds after South Carolina pushed ahead.

His 25th goal of the season could not have come at a better time.

“Nezzie last game had three assists and he had three points again this game,” Brandt said. “You can see the drive is there, and I think his play has really stepped up in the time we need him. Leading with him, it trickles down.

“Nezzie was struggling to score goals, not necessarily to get points. If you want to score goals, you’ve got to continue to go to the hard areas and he scored from the paint. So it’s good to see.”

PREP ROUNDUP

Hebron girls shut out Providence soccer From Staff Reports LILBURN — Hebron recorded a 2-0 shutout at Providence on Thursday night in Region 8-A action.

Kendall Towe scored the first goal for Hebron (5-7, 2-2) off an assist from Hannah Hardin.

Towe would later assist the second goal, which was scored to Emma Gardner GIRLS GIRLSSOCCER SOCCER Shiloh 10, Stephenson 0 SNELLVILLE — Shiloh picked up its first win of the season on Thursday with a 10-0 rout of Stephenson in a non-region meeting.

Aessiah Wicks exploded for six goals to lead Shiloh (1-8-1), while Karla Coronada added two goals.

Celesie Alonso also scored on a penalty kick, while Rowan Irons ended the game with a goal. Sydney Gipson also played well to lead the defense for Shiloh.

BOYSSOCCER SOCCER BOYS Shiloh 3, Stephenson 1 SNELLVILLE — Malik Burton of Shiloh scored two goals Thursday night in helping the Generals to a 3-1 win at home over Stephenson in a nonregion match.

Justin Hernandez scored the third goal for Shiloh (4-8) with Bryan Urvina and Abi Ge-

tachew each dishing an assist.

Chris Phillips also did his part at keeper for Shiloh by saving four shots.

Buford 7, Stephens Co. 1 TOCCOA — Miguel Burgos assisted three goals and scored one on Thursday in leading Buford to a 7-1 win at Stephens County.

Colin Owen and Brayan Ruiz each added two goals, while Joe Guiney had a goal and an assist. Hashin Al-anin also scored for Buford.

The win improved the Wolves to 6-3-2 overall and 3-2 in Region 8-AAAA. GAC 2, Dunwoody 1 NORCROSS — Greater Atlanta Christian upped its record to 8-4-1 on Thursday with a 2-1 win at home over Dunwoody in a non-region match.

Michael Williams and Bennie Harris each scored one goal for GAC with Harris’ goal assisted

by Richard Hamryka.

Hebron 2, Providence 0 LILBURN — Hebron improved to 3-1 in Region 8-A on Thursday with a 2-0 win at Providence.

Manny Abunaw scored the first goal for Hebron (5-4-1 overall) off an assist from Jake Major. Abunaw would later return the favor with an assist to Major for the game’s second goal.

The shutout went to keeper Tyler Kasten, who had five saves.

GIRLSLACROSSE LACROSSE GIRLS North 21, Duluth 1 SUWANEE — North received

at least one goal from 11 different players on Thursday night as the Bulldogs routed visiting Duluth 21-1.

Haley Gorke was the top player for North with four goals, two assists and five draw controls. Shannon Costelloe also played well with three goals and an assist, while Liz Blumthal finished with two goals, one assist and two caused turnover.

North improved to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in Area 4-AAAAAA. BOYSLACROSSE LACROSSE BOYS Collins Hill 18, Parkview 2 SUWANEE — Connor Angi scored three goals and Russell Gardner logged two goals and four assists on Thursday night as Collins Hill rolled to an 18-2 win at home over Parkview.

Also helping the Eagles (44) with two goals each were Strickland Palmer, Andrew Kwak, Austin Speake and Vnce Guadagno.

Andrew Collins, Josh Blair, Jojo Hernanadez, Mack Vickery and Alex Cao also chipped in with one goal each.

South Forsyth 15, Brookwood 9 CUMMING — South Forsyth pulled away from Brookwood to defeat the Broncos 15-9 on Thursday night.

Justin Parker led the offense for Brookwood (4-5) with three goals and three assists, while Diego Lyons scored two goals.

Noah White and Lee Collier each added a goal and as assist with Joseph Schureck and Ricky Donnan each had a goal Reagan Fite also recorded an assist for Brookwood.

BOYSTENNIS TENNIS BOYS Hebron 5, Dacula 0 DACULA — Hebron received singles win from Bryce Coleman, Caleb Moss and Cameron Cartman on Thursday as the Lions swept Dacula 5-0 in a non-region match.

Hebron (9-2) also won both doubles matches with wins from Nathan Blahnik and Preston McClung at No. 1 and Michael Cartnell and Garrett Terry at No. 2.

Athens Academy 5, Providence 0 ATHENS — Athens Academy swept Providence 5-0 on Thursday night. The loss dropped Providence to 9-6.

GIRLSTENNIS TENNIS GIRLS Providence 3, Athens Academy 2 ATHENS — Providence won three singles matches to get past Athens Academy 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.

The three singles winners for the Storm (14-2) were Alexis Trammell, Grace Auman and MaryEllyn Brannon.

RIFLERY RIFLERY Parkview reaches state semis LILBURN — Amanda Mayo led all shooters with a 285 on Thursday as Parkview defeated Cairo in the state sectionals to reach the state semifinals.

The Panthers, who won 1,121 to 1,059 on Thursday, will meet Harrison next Thursday for a berth in the state championship.

— Compiled by Scott Smith

Brookwood’s Trice breaks own Georgia record in 50 meter freestyle at NCAAs followed by Florida (163), California (141), North ATLANTA — Top-8 Carolina State (137) and efforts by Gunnar Bentz Michigan (90). Georgia and Michael Trice highhas finished in the Top 10 lighted Georgia’s efforts at the NCAAs seven times on Thursday in the NCAA in the last eight seasons.

Swimming and Diving Trice — a Brookwood Championships at the grad — celebrated his McAuley Aquatic Cenbirthday by placing eighth ter on the Georgia Tech in the 50 meter freestyle campus. as he reached the wall in After two days of 19.23. During prelims competition, the Bulldogs Thursday morning, Trice stand ninth with 68 points. went 19.16 to eclipse Texas leads with 209, his own school record of

From Staff Reports

19.31.

“We were pretty happy with the way our guys performed today,” Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. “They stepped up with some solid morning swims and then backed it up with good swims at night. Gunnar showed that he’s a big-time guy and Trice was a big surprise as he scored individually at the NCAAs for the first time. We’re excited about what they did for us.”

Bentz came in fifth as he went 1:41.57 in the 200 meter individual medley.

That is the second-lowest effort in school history, trailing only Chase Kalisz’s 1:41.19 set in 2014.

In the 500 meter freestyle, Kevin Litherland placed 12th with a time of 4:15.86.

The 400 meter medley relay of Taylor Dale, Bentz, Pace Clark and Matias Koski came in 12th in 3:06.65.

Villanova throttles Miami Hurricanes

By Bucky Dent

The Sports Xchange

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In its first regional semifinal since 2009, Villanova led wire-to-wire Thursday night and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s South Region title game with a 92-69 thumping of Miami at the KFC Yum! Center.

Senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono paced the Wildcats (32-5) with 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting, nailing four of their 10 3-pointers.

Forward Kris Jenkins also scored 21, while center Daniel Ochefu added 17 points and forward Josh Hart hit for 14 despite sitting out more than 11 first half minutes after picking up two fouls in a five-second span.

Guard Sheldon McClellan fired in a game-high 26 points for the Hurricanes (27-8) and backcourt partner Angel Rodriguez tallied 13. Miami canned better than 53 percent of its field goal attempts, including 10 of 17 on 3s, but couldn’t craft a defensive scheme that kept Villanova from getting the shots it desired.

Up by six at halftime, the Wildcats gradually pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 25 points down the stretch.

They finished 32 of 51 from the field and hit 10 of 15 3s, making them 33 of 64 from distance in the tournament’s first three games.

Villanova will face the Maryland-Kansas winner in Saturday’s championship game.

Big runs and hot shooting were the storylines in a high-scoring first half.

Villanova set the pace early with defense, forcing four turnovers in the first eight minutes and racing out to a 22-10 lead with 10:49 left in the half when backup guard Mikal Bridges scored off a steal at midcourt.

With guard Ryan Arcidiacono firing in 13 points, the Wildcats pushed the margin to 29-14 before the Hurricanes rallied behind torrid shooting from the 3-point line. Miami made four in a row during a 16-2 spurt that drew them within 31-30 with 4:33 left after a driving layup by guard Angel Rodriguez.

Villanova answered with seven straight points and eventually lugged a 43-37 advantage into the locker room.

The teams combined to hit 30 of 46 shots from the field in the half, including an absurd 13 of 19 on 3-pointers.

Sooners too much for Texas A&M

By Jack Magruder The Sports Xchange

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Guard Jordan Woodard had 20 points and five 3-pointers and guard Buddy Hield added 17 points as Oklahoma advanced to the NCAA Tournament West Region final with a 77-63 victory over Texas A&M on Thursday.

Woodard and Hield had seven of the Sooners’ 11 3-pointers and freshman guard Christian James tied a second high with the other four threes, and the Sooners were never threatened after using a 34-9 run in the first half to take a 19-point halftime lead.

The Aggies, who overcame a 12-point deficit in the final 44 seconds of its 92-88 double-overtime victory over Northern Iowa in Oklahoma City on Sunday, went to a man-toman press in the final six minutes but never were closer than 11 points.

Freshman center Tyler Davis, the focal point of the offense early in the second half, had 17 points and eight rebounds for Texas A&M (28-9) He had 13 in the second half.

Woodard had his fifth 20-point game of the season and added five assists.

Hield had 10 rebounds.

Oklahoma (28-7) made 11 of 25 from 3-point range while shooting 49.2 percent from the field.

Texas A&M shot 34.4 percent from the field and made only 13 of 24 free throws. They were 11 for 22 from the line in the second half, unable to take advantage of the Sooners’

early foul trouble.

Davis scored seven points in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the second half as the Aggies pounded the ball inside and cut their deficit to 53-42 five minutes into the second half.

Hield and Woodard hit three to lift the Sooners back in front 64-46.

Woodard had 14 points and three 3-pointers and Hield scored 11 points in the first half as the Sooners blew out to a 45-26 lead.

James’ 3-pointer from the left baseline with 11:38 remaining tied the score at 18 and came in the early stages of a 34-9 run that gave Oklahoma a 40-22 lead. The Aggies were 3 of 17 from the field after Woodard’s tying 3-pointer.

Woodard had two 3-pointers and Hield scored six points during the run, including a 3-pointer with 1:46 left in the half for the 40-22 lead.

Oklahoma committed only one turnover in the first 15 minutes and had four in the first half compared with Texas A&M’s 10.

Aggies guard Jalen Jones made two 3-pointers in the final four minutes but did not score again in the first half.

NOTES: Oklahoma, appearing in its 30th NCAA Tournament, has made the Final Four in three of its previous nine trips to the West Regional. The Sooners advanced in 1993, 1947 and 2002, the last time led by guard Hollis Price, who played in four straight NCAA tournaments

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Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Solution to today's Sudoku

WHATZIT SOLUTION:

Today’s Answer: Peaks

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Simpkins

•From Page 1B This season, in addition to those six events, she’s also competed in the 200-meter hurdles and the 100-meter dash.

“Just a competitor,” said boys head coach Williams, who coaches hurdles and jumps. “Whatever event I ask her to do she’s willing to do it and go 100 miles per hour doing it. Asking for your feedback as to if she’s doing right or if she’s doing it wrong. She’s just a competitor.”

Williams said the only event Simpkins has ever been unsure of was the pole vault. Despite her apprehension, she still set the school record last year, clearing 8-feet, 6-inches.

This weekend in the Gwinnett County Championships, Simpkins will be going for a third straight title in the 100-meter hurdles and a second straight high jump title. She finished second in the triple jump and hopes to add a county championship in that event to her résumé as well. Her 36-foot, 11 1/4-inch jump last year was a school record in the event.

In 2014 as a sophomore, she finished fourth in the state in the 100-meter hurdles, setting the school record with a time of 14.42 seconds. She was also seventh in the high jump and 10th in the triple jump that year. Last year she placed third in the 100-meter hurdles and ninth in the triple jump at state.

As she puts it, she “choked in regionals” last year in the high jump and failed to qualify for the state finals, despite clearing a school-record 5-feet, 4-inches during the season.

Now as a senior she said her practice habits are better, and that’s why she thinks she will reach even higher heights.

“Definitely my work ethic,” she said of what’s

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • B7

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 7B FANS CHOICE FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Emily Mason School: North Gwinnett Class: Sophomore Sport: Soccer Highlights: Scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 victory over Mountain View Coach Jeff Becker’s take: “Emily has all the qualities of a great central striker, the strength of a locomotive, a left leg like a cannon and a little bit of crazy. In practices and games, she is consistently one of the hardest workers, and she pushes her teammates to always be better. Emily embodies what all coaches want, a player who gives her best and who puts the team before anything else. The North Gwinnett soccer program is blessed to have a player like Emily Mason.”

FANS CHOICE MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Berkmar’s Jirah Simpkins, center, leaps over a hurdle during the Class AAAAAA 100 meter hurdles of the GHSA girls state track meet at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany last season. (Photo: David Welker)

improved the most. “My freshman year I kind of just did it. I just went through the motions. I never pushed myself, until like after freshman year and I realized, ‘OK. I really could go somewhere.’ So my sophomore year I didn’t play no games. I was on it, I started doing hurdles my sophomore year, got the school record, went to state — my first time going to state. My work ethic definitely got better and I’ve gotten faster and stronger.”

In addition to juggling two sports and several track and field events, Simpkins is also a terrific student with two after-school jobs. She maintains a 3.5 grade-point average and works a few days a week at Firehouse Subs and Studio Movie Grill.

While the workload may seem like a lot to most, Simpkins said the key to balancing it all is really mental.

“It’s a lot, but I feel like it’s only a lot if you make it a lot,” she said. “It’s not like I work everyday. I only work about three days a

week, a couple hours. I’ve always played two sports, as far as high school, so I’ve kind of gotten used to it and I love competing. I like working out, I like being active, so it’s something I like to do. It’s not like it’s stressful or anything.

School isn’t really hard unless you make it hard.

Yeah, I’ve got AP classes, but at the end of the day it’s not like it’s rocket science.

So I just do what I’ve got to do with school. Make sure I turn everything in, make sure I’m on track. It’s really not stressful unless I make it stressful.”

She hopes to study sports management and continue her track and field career in college.

But not before she finishes her high school career with personal-bests in the state finals in all three of her main individual events, the 100-meter hurdles, triple jump and high jump.

It would be the cherry on top of a terrific high school career that in her mind hasn’t been given it’s due.

“I feel like I’ve always been doubted,” she said.

“I’ve always been considered an amateur, not the person who’s going to go out there and get this. So I would feel very accomplished and I feel like I would prove a lot of people wrong.”

In proving a lot of people wrong, Simpkins has proven her coaches initial projection from four years ago right — they did need to get her on the track team.

“She’s been a differencemaker,” Burdette said. “She has the most (school) records. We had Elxis Guster before her. They went back and forth on the records, but Jirah has taken over the record book now. She’s awesome. She probably can do any event. That’s the type of person she is. She can pole vault, triple-jump, she did the long jump. Last week we just threw her in the open 100-meter dash and she ran 12.4 and it was one of the top times in the region. She’s unbelievable to me. I don’t know how she does it. School, track and then having two jobs.

She’s unbelievable.”

Who: Christian Rutherford School: Mill Creek Class: Junior Sport: Baseball Highlights: Pitched the first perfect game in school history in a 7-0 win over Cartersville, recording the 21 outs on just 61 pitches Coach Doug Jones’ take: “It was just one of those games, my first perfect game as a coach. I’ve had four no-hitters but I’ve been doing it a long time, too. This was the first perfect game not only in Mill Creek history, but in my coaching career as well. For him to do it in 61 pitches and have five strikeouts was quite impressive. It was his night. He’d be the first to tell you we made two plays, one outstanding play and one where our shortstop slipped and threw the guy out from his knees. And luckily we scored some runs that night.”

Gwinnett Daily Post Follow the Gwinnett Daily Post Sports Department on Twitter @GDPsports @willhammock @paulleethomas @DFried_GDP @ChristineTroyke

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SCOTT HUDGENS PARK- PARKING AND CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS The City of Duluth is accepting sealed bids from qualified contractors to provide all necessary labor, equipment, materials and any appurtenances incidental to the completion of improvements to parking and circulation improvements at Scott Hudgens Park. Improvements include: ingress/ egress widening, resurfacing access drive, removal/ replacement of gravel drive with full depth pavement, addition gates to new driveway, construction of new concrete flumes, and all other items as specified in the plans and specifications.

All sealed bids will be received by the City of Duluth City Clerk, 3167 Main Street, Duluth, Georgia 30096 until 4:00 P.M. local time on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Any bid received after this time will not be accepted. Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud on Tuesday, April 19 at 2016 at 4:00 P.M. The bid envelope must be marked on the outside with the following: City of Duluth Bid – Scott Hudgens ParkParking and Circulation Improvements Date and Hour of Bid Opening Company Name The full Invitation to Bid is available on the City of Duluth website, www.duluthga. net under the heading “Notices and RFP’s”. Full Invitation to Bid is also available for viewing at the City of Duluth Planning Department.

A NON-Mandatory prebid conference will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at the City of Duluth’s Scott Hudgen’s Park (4545 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096).

Contract will be awarded, if at all, within sixty (90) calendar days after opening of the proposal. Anticipated Notice to Proceed – June 1, 2016.

Selected Contractor must be able to start work within ten (10) calendar days after the “Notice to Proceed” is issued. The project must be fully completed by September 15, 2016. Liquidated damages on a per day basis after this deadline will apply.

All bids shall be accompanied by a bid bond in favor of the City, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the bid for the complete work, ( $5,000);

CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS

CONSTRUCTION/ SERVICE BIDS

(but not less than $5,000); such bid bond representing that the bidder, if awarded a contract, will promptly enter into a contract and furnish performance bond and payment bond as provided by law and approved by the attorney for the City. The performance bond shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount. The payment bond shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the contract amount.

The City reserves the right, with our without notice to cause or to accept any bid regardless of the amount thereof; to reject any bid, any number of bids or all bids; to negotiate with any bidder for a reduction or alteration in its bid; to waive or insist upon formal requirements; to reject all bids and to call for additional bids upon the same or different Invitation to Bid and/or Plans and Specifications; to be the sole judge, in its discretion, of all questions as to whether or not a bid complies with the Invitation to Bid, the Plans or the Specifications, and as to the qualifications of a bidder to perform the contract.

Any change to the conditions and specifications must be in the form of a written addendum to be valid; therefore the City will issue a written addendum to document each approved change. The contractor must acknowledge any and all addendums with the submitted bid.

902-409449, 3/25,27,4/1,3

Plans/Specs can also be uploaded via Dropbox if requested.

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

classifieds

Interested parties may reply by phone at 864-3380888, Fax at 864-338-1444.

Bids are due by Monday, March 28 2016.

902-406975, 3/18,25

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE NOTICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE REQUEST An application for an alcohol beverage permit to serve beer, wine and distilled spirits has been filed with the City of Norcross, Georgia by the following party at the following location, to wit: Applicant/Owner: RAJ NAGI Registered Agent: RAJ NAGI Business Name: Citgo Food Mart Location: 5395 Buford Hwy Suite A Norcross, GA 30071 9 0 4 - 4 0 4 8 3 2 , 3/4,9,10,11,16,17,18,23, 24,25 NOTICE An application for an alcohol beverage permit to serve beer, wine and distilled spirits has been filed with the City of Norcross, Georgia by the following party at the following location, to wit: Applicant/Owner: CARLOS SANTOS TORRES MEJIAS Register Agent: CARLOS SANTOS TORRES MEJIAS Business Name: LA VALENTINA MEXICAN CUISINE Corporation: B&T MUSIC ENTERPRISE, LLC Location:5530 Buford Hwy, Suite# 305, Norcross, GA 30071 904-405736, 3/9,10,11,16 17,18,23,24,25,30

770-962-SELL BID Don Moorhead Construction of Belton, SC is seeking SLBE’s (Small Local Business Enterprises) for the Flint River Outfall Replacement – Phase 1B for Clayton County Water Authority. Subcontractors are needed for Clearing & Grubbing, Erosion Control, Supplying and Delivering Off-road Diesel Fuel, Supplying and Delivering Concrete, Hauling, Rock Excavation. Asphalt Paving, and Grassing. Suppliers needed for Piping and Manholes.

Plans and specifications are available for purchase from Clayton County Water Authority and for review at the following locations: Moorhead Construction, Inc – 1513 Anderson St, Belton, SC 29627

JUVENILE COURT IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF GWINNETT COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA In the matter of K.G., Minor child Docket 16-00202-2 Georgia Department of Human Resources, acting by and through the Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services Petitioner NOTICE OF SUMMONS TO: BRANDON BEASLEY, PUTATIVE FATHER ANY AND ALL KNOWN ,UNKNOWN, UNNAMED, BIOLOGICAL, LEGAL, FATHER OF K.G., minor child.

You are hereby notified that a Termination of Parental Rights Petition regarding the above-named child has been filed in the court by t

JUVENILE COURT the above-named Petitioner.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A., § 1511-284 you are hereby put on notice to wit: NOTICE OF EFFECT OF TERMINATION JUDGMENT Georgia Law provides that you can permanently lose your rights as a parent. A petition to terminate parental rights has been filed requesting the court to terminate your parental rights to your child.

A court hearing of your case has been scheduled for the 24th day of MAY, 2016 at 9:00 A.M., at which time you should make your objections known.

Petitioner seeks to terminate your parental rights to the child and to extend the Court’s order for the temporary custodian’s custody of the child. An order terminating the parental rights of a parent is without limit as to duration and terminates all of his or her rights and obligations with respect to the child and all rights and obligations of the child to the parent arising from the parental relationship, including rights of inheritance. A parent is not thereafter entitled to notice of proceedings for the adoption of the child by another nor has he or she any right to object to the adoption or otherwise to participate in the proceedings.

If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your rights in your absence.

If the court at the trial finds that termination of your rights will serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child.

You have the right to be represented by an attorney.

If you are unable to employ an attorney without undue financial hardship, the Court will appoint one to represent you. If you desire appointment of an attorney you should advise the Court of such need immediately.

Even if your parental rights are terminated: (1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child support payments) for your child’s care unless and until your child is adopted; and (2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is adopted.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-1-283(b), you are hereby put on notice that a biological father who is not the legal father may lose all rights to the child named in petition brought pursuant to this article and will not be entitled to object to the termination of his rights to such child unless, within 30 days of receipt of notice, he files: (

JUVENILE COURT

NAME CHANGES

PUBLIC HEARINGS

(1) A petition to legitimate such child; and (2) Notice of the filing of the petition to legitimate with the court in which the termination of parental rights proceeding is pending Further, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-283(d), you are hereby put on notice that the court may enter an order terminating all the parental rights of a biological father, including any right to object thereafter to such proceeding; (1) Who fails to file a timely petition to legitimate the child named in the petition brought Pursuant to this article and notice in accordance with subsection (b) of this Code section; (2) Whose petition to legitimate is subsequently dismissed for failure to prosecute; or (3) Whose petition to legitimate does not result in a court order finding that he is the legal father of the child named in the petition brought pursuant to this article.

A parent is not entitled to notice of proceedings for the adoption of the child(ren) by another nor has he or she any right to object to the adoption or otherwise to participate in the proceedings.

The foregoing Petition for Termination of Parental Rights is hereby approved to be filed in the best interests of the public and the children.

WITNESS, the Honorable Judge STEPHEN FRANZEN of said Court.

This the 23rd day of MAY, 2016 .

Sheila Williams, Clerk of Court Gwinnett County Juvenile Court 913-409518, 3/25,31,4/7,14

Objections must be filed with said Court within 30 days of the filing of said petition.

This 24th day of February, 2016.

Respectfully submitted, -sElizabeth Main Attorney for Petitioner Georgia Bar No. 916409 Georgia Law Center for the Homeless 100 Edgewood Avenue NE, Suite 1625 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Phone: (404) 681-0680 Fax: (404) 681-0681 916-408872, 3/24,31,4/7,14

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF GA. L. 1988, P. 235 (OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED, SECTION 50-14-1), NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF GWINNETT COUNTY WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016, AT 4:30 P.M. AT 6500 SUGARLOAF PARKWAY, 2nd FLOOR, PAUL DUKE CONFERENCE ROOM, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30097. SUCH MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL BE HELD AND CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. 928-409029, 3/25

NAME CHANGES IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF GWINNETT COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA FAMILY DIVISION Civil Action Case Number 16A 01931-6 IN RE Name Change of JEROME MITCHELL, NOTICE OF PETITION TO CHANGE NAME Notice is hereby given that JEROME MITCHELL, filed a petition to the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia on 29th day of February, 2016, praying for a change in the name to changed as follows: JEROME MITCHELL to be changed to JERMONE MITCHELL. Notice is hereby given pursuant to law to any interested or affected party to appear in said Court and to file objections to such name change.

O

PROBATE COURT ADMINISTRATION IN THE PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF GWINNETT STATE OF GEORGIA ESTATE NO. 16-E-000363 IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM BRYAN MEDLEY, DECEASED PETITION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION NOTICE TO: ALL HEIRS AND INTERESTED PERSON IN THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM BRYAN MEDLEY: GEORGE MONROE MEDLEY, has petitioned to be appointed Administrator of the estate of WILLIAM BRYAN MEDLEY, deceased, of said County. The Petitioner has also applied for waiver of bond and/or grant of certain powers contained in O.C.G.A. §53-12-261. All interested parties are hereby notified to show cause why said petition should not be granted.

All objections to the petition must be in writing, setting forth the grounds of any such objections, and must be filed with the court on or before APRIL 18, 2016. All pleadings/objections must be signed under oath before a notary public or before a probate court clerk, and filing fees must be tendered with your pleadings/objections, unless you qualify to file as an indigent party. Contact probate court personnel at the following address/telephone number for the required amount of filing fees.

If any objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled at a later date. If no objections are filed, the petition may be granted without a hearing.

CHRISTOPHER A. BALLAR Judge of the Probate Court By:-s-SYDNEY BOSTWICK Clerk/Deputy Clerk of the Probate 75 LANGLEY DRIVE LAWRENCEVILLE GA 30046 770-822-8350 919-408824, 3/24,31,4/7,14

NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA SE VIN: 1N4BA41E97C864079 The above automobile was initially removed and presently stored at 4757 Buford Hwy, Norcross, Ga 30071, in possession of Tran’s Auto Repair. Attempt to locate the owner(s) of this vehicle’s have been unsuccessful. The vehicle is deemed abandoned under O.C.G.A.40-11-2 and will be disposed of if not redeemed. This notice is given pursuant to Georgia law.

928-409442, 3/25, 4/1 PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Buford had a major sewer spill, March 23, 2016. The incident occurred between Roy Carlson Boulevard and Bryant Road due to a sewer manhole overflow. Estimated volume of discharge into Suwanee Creek was 100,000 gallons, subject to final estimate.

Repairs were made on the same day as spill, March 23, 2016. For information please call Buford City Hall at 770945-6761.

928-409789, 3/25

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE There will be sold at public outcry at Lmc Auto Group 6850 Buford Hwy Suite c Doraville Ga 30340 03/31/2016 at 9am the following vehicle, declared abandoned and foreclosed vehicles pursuant to OCGA Section 40-11-5, as follows: 06 650i BMW vin# WBAEH13496CR46170 929-407945, 3/18,25

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

MCCULLOUGH TOWING AUCTION LIST 4431 BUFORD HWY. NORCROSS, GA 30071 770-263-8483 SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH 2016@ 1:00PM 2004 Audi A4 WAUDT48HX4K010410 2001 Audi A6 WAUED54BX1N065362 2004 Audi A4 WAUJC68E04A068875 2003 BMW 525i WBADT43493G027950 2004 Buick Rendezvous 3G5DA03E74S508767 2000 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1NE52J3Y6196642 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1GCEC14W5XE177559 2005 Chrysler Town and Country 2C8GP64L35R120369 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 3B7HC12Y51G202509 2000 Ford Expedition 1FMPU18L7YLB01338 2007 Ford Five Hundred 1FAHP24167G163000 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG2259YA000955 1999 Honda Accord 1HGCG3278XA022693 1995 Honda Accord 1HGCD7255SA042746 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG5671YA103008 1998 Isuzu Amigo 4S2CM57W4W4366591 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J4GX38S82C255444 2003 Lincoln Aviator 5LMEU68H13ZJ21992 1995 Mercedes Benz S420 WDBGA43E0SA242857 1997 Nissan Sentra 1N4AB41D6VC743748 1999 Nissan Maxima JN1CA21AXXT106223 2002 Volkswagen Passat WVWPD63B52P049952 2000 Volvo S80 YV1TS90DXY1142094 929-408225, 3/18,25

D418: furniture, weed eater, bags. Fred Johnson, unit E600in: engine hoist, tool boxes, tire, boxes. Edgar Garcia, unit E624: speaker box, tires, basket. Meridian Crest, INC, unit G703: ATM machine, Gumball machine, pretzel machine, sign, boxes.

Felix Pichardo, H128: TV, boxes, plastic totes, clothes.

Dobzie Mbagwu, unit I243: furniture, suitcases, boxes.

Christopher Boyd, unit I245: couch, chair, dryer, washer, boxes. Caneedra McCants, unit I300: suitcases, bags, boxes. Gudiel VasquezBarrios, unit M807: Mattress sets. Ines Sablon, unit M838: furniture, grill, box spring.

929-407266, 3/18,25

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart 3345 Medlock Bridge Road Peachtree Corners Ga. 30092 to satisfy a lien on April 13, 2016 at approx. 01:00 P.M. at www. storagetreasures.com Cube # 1194 -Lavail Benton Cube# 1379Nicholas Letech Ellis Cube# 1536- Nickerson , Stephanie L. 929-408298, 3/25,4/1 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Pursuant to the Georgia Self-Service Storage Facility Act, SecurCare Self Storage will conduct a public sale to the highest bidder of the following spaces located at 1 Western Hills Ct. Norcross, GA 30071 on Tuesday April 5, 2016 at 10:00 am. Veronica Stewart, unit B219: tables, chairs, boxes, totes.

Jesus Solis-Salgado, unit D

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE In accordance with Georgia Law Chapter 40-11-5 the following vehicles have been deemed abandoned and will be sold at a public sale on 4-8-16 @ 2:30 Said Vehicles are located at: 4178 HWY 120 DULUTH, GA 30097 2008 BMW 328I VIN# WBAVA37508NL45952 VIN# 1FTEE1468VHA66350 1997 FORD ECONOLINE Sale will be held at 12:00 on 4-08-16 Location: 484 MITCHELL STREET NORCROSS, GA 30071 929-408255, 3/18,25 PUBLIC AUCTION THESE VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR CASH AT STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA AT 10:00 A.M. ON MARCH 26, 2016. THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE DECLARED ABANDONED AND FORECLOSED VEHICLES PURSUANT TO OCGA 40-11-5.

ESTOS VEHICULOS SERAN VENDIDOS AL PUBLICO POR DINERO EN EFECTIVO EN STATEWIDE WRECKER SERVICE LOCALIZADO EN 2775 SIMPSON CIRCLE, NORCROSS, GEORGIA A LAS 10:00 A.M. EN 26 MARZO 2016 . LOS SIGUIENTES VEHICULOS AN SIDO DECLARADOS ABANDONADOS Y CERRADOS DE ACUERDO A OCGA 40-11-5 NUEVA LOCALIZACION 770-381-1140 www.swsatlanta.com 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J8GR48K06C136744 1999 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 1B7HF16Y0XS183032 2003 Saab 9-3 Y

0325_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 3/24/2016 4:54 PM Page B8

B8 • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS

SERVICE

BY PUBLICATION

YS3FB49SX31035166 2005 Pontiac Montana SV6 1GMDV33L35D305806 1996 Toyota Tercel JT2AC52L5T0176457 2002 Ford E-250 1FDNS24L72HA56176 2006 Nissan Maxima 1N4BA41E36C802367 2002 Kawasaki JetSki KAW51614D202 2001 Comfab PWT1813G Trailer 5DKPB13102N002893 2001 Kawasaki JetSki KAW20929L102 2007 Chevrolet Uplander 1GNDU23127D147498 2009 Nissan Versa 3N1BC11E89L440597 2005 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF52E059266624

on February 11, 2016.

Defendants are hereby required, personally or by attorney, to be and appear at the next term of court to be held in and for said county, on June 07, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2E, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046, to SHOW CAUSE why a certain Judgment, rendered on September 26, 2008 and amended on October 07, 2008 in Gwinnett State Court, for the sum of $35,680.00 plus post-judgment interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%), plus $2,500.00 in attorney fees and all costs, should not be revived.

WITNESS, the Honorable Pamela D. South, Judge of this State Court. /s/ Deputy Clerk, State Court For: Hon. Richard T. Alexander, Clerk 930-401334, 2/18,19,25, 26,3/3,4,10,11,17,18,24,25, 31,4/1,7,8

2002 Nissan Altima 1N4BL11D32C235362

ZONINGS

1999 Honda Accord 1HGCG2257XA008583

CITY OF SNELLVILLE PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the general public that the City of Snellville has received an application for Variance (case #BOA 16-02) from Adams Hill, LLC and Park Place Snellville, LLC for a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on the ±1.72 acre property, zoned BG (General Business) District and located in the Park Place retail center, 1740 Scenic Highway, Snellville, Georgia (Tax Parcel #5056 009 p/o).

The request is for variance from Sec. 7.7(4)(B), Ratios and Amounts of Allowed Building Materials, Article XII, General Provision of the 2001 Snellville Zoning Ordinance to allow use of prototypical wood-look cementitious siding and battens on the front building elevation, which is prohibited in the Architectural Design Standards and exceed the twenty-five (25) percent maximum allowance for use on the side and rear of the building.

A public hearing by the Snellville Board of Appeals, as provided by law, will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Snellville City Hall @ Snellville City Center, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia to consider said application and recommendation by the Planning Department and conduct a public hearing.

For inquiries call 770-9853517 or visit Snellville City Hall, Department of Planning and Development, 2342 Oak Road, 2nd Floor, Snellville, Georgia 30078. Application information may also be found on the City’s website at www.snellville.org.

934-409630, 3/25

2000 Ford F-150 1FTRX07L8YKA71157 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier 1G1JC52F957175364 2004 Nissan Sentra 3N1CB51D64L896354 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix 1G2WP52K83F116182 1999 Isuzu Rodeo 4S2CK58W5X4317115 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J4GX38S52C244935 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 1GNFK16Z34J142754 2003 Saturn L200 1G8JU54F93Y538040 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1J4GX78Y9VC539777 2000 Chevrolet Impala 2G1WF55E3Y9226232 1998 Dodge Durango 1B4HS28Y0WF118698 1994 Honda Civic 1HGEJ1124RL008141 2001 Ford Mustang 1FAFP44421F111664 *** SALVAGE *** 2001 Infiniti QX4 JNRDR09X51W203083 1994 Nissan Altima 1N4BU31DXRC218898 2005 Ford Escape 1FMCU03135KE07808 2002 Audi A4 WAULC68E52A153586 1995 Honda Accord 1HGCE6662SA019600 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle 3VWCC21C01M410480 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG5641YA156569 2000 Ford F-150 1FTZF1721YNB71034 2000 Acura 3.2 TL 19UUA5669YA017913 1997 Nissan Maxima JN1CA21D7VT811245 2003 Pontiac Grand Am 1G2NE52F73C291240 2006 Chevrolet HHR 3GNDA23P76S568628 1999 Lincoln Continental 1LNHM97V2XY705435 2003 Honda Accord 1HGCM72633A016902 1999 Ford Windstar 2FMZA5148XBC63215 929-407057, 3/18,25

SERVICE

BY PUBLICATION IN THE STATE COURT OF GWINNETT COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA CIVIL ACTION NO. 16-C-00429-S5 ANGELA STEPHENS Plaintiff vs.

LUCILLE ALLEN, individually and LUCILLE ALLEN, in her capacity as Partner of MO’MONEY TAXES, LLC and Lucille Allen d/b/a MO’MONEY TAXES, LLC, and MO’ MONEY TAXES, INC., Defendants NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: LUCILLE ALLEN, individually and LUCILLE ALLEN, in her capacity as Partner of MO’ MONEY TAXES, LLC, and Lucille Allen d/b/a MO’ MONEY TAXES, LLC and MO’ MONEY TAXES, INC.

BY ORDER for service by publication dated February 11, 2016, you are hereby notified that on Janaury 27, 2016 Plaintiff filed a Petition for Scire Facias and the Court issued a Writ of Scire Facias to Revive Dormant Judgment o

CITY OF DULUTH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ANNEXATION/REZONING APPLICATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN (pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 3666-4) that a public hearing will be held before the City of Duluth City Council to consider a request (A#201502) from Claude Douglas Milam for the annexation of a 40.19± acre property identified as 1 Inspiration Drive, Duluth, Georgia. The property is also identified as Tax Parcel 7243 170. If annexed the subject property will then be rezoned from R-100 (Gwinnett County) to R-75 (City of Duluth).

The public is invited to attend this meeting before the City Council on the annexation/ rezoning request at Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main Street, Duluth, Georgia 30096. The meeting date, place and time regarding this matter are as follows: WHEN: April 11, 2016- 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall Council Chambers 3167 Main Street Duluth, GA 30096 PERSONS INTERESTED IN THIS MATTER are invited to review the application for rezoning, which is on file with the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Duluth and to attend the public hearing at the date, time and place provided in this notice, to express their opinion on this matter. Written comments may also be received in lieu of testimony during the public hearing.

Written comments may be sent to the following address: City of Duluth ATTN: Rich Atkinson 3167 Main Street Duluth, GA 30096 OR Email: ratkinson@duluthga.net For more information, contact Rich Atkinson, Planning and Development, at (770) 476-1790. ********************* In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Dulut

SERVICES

FLOORING

ELECTRICAL

HARDWOOD FLOORS

gwinnettdailypost.com ZONINGS

FULL TIME

th is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability.

Please contact Teresa Lynn at (770) 476-3434 if special program accommodations are necessary and/or if program information is needed in an alternative format. Special requests must be made in a reasonable amount of time in order that accommodations can be arranged.

934-406746, 3/17,25

DUMP TRUCK DRIVERS Experienced Dump Truck Drivers Only!

Top pay! Steady Work!

Weekly Pay! Trucks located in Sugar Hill, Ga. Please call 770-831-8154

CITY OF DULUTH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REZONING APPLICATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN (pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 3666-4) that a public hearing will be held before the City of Duluth City Council to consider a request (Z#2015-01) from Claude Douglas Milam for the rezoning of a property totaling 37.7± acres identified as 1 Inspiration Drive, Duluth, Georgia. The property is also identified as Tax Parcel 7243 001. Request is to rezone subject property from RA200 (City) to R-75 (City).

The public is invited to attend this meeting before the City Council on the rezoning request at Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main Street, Duluth, Georgia 30096. The meeting date, place and time regarding this matter are as follows: WHEN: April 11, 2016–7:00 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall Council Chambers 3167 Main Street Duluth, GA 30096 PERSONS INTERESTED IN THIS MATTER are invited to review the application for rezoning, which is on file with the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Duluth and to attend the public hearing at the date, time and place provided in this notice, to express their opinion on this matter. Written comments may also be received in lieu of testimony during the public hearing.

Written comments may be sent to the following address: City of Duluth ATTN: Rich Atkinson 3167 Main Street Duluth, GA 30096 OR Email: ratkinson@duluthga.net For more information, contact Rich Atkinson, Planning and Development, at (770) 476-1790. ********************* In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Duluth is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability.

Please contact Teresa Lynn at (770) 476-3434 if special program accommodations are necessary and/or if program information is needed in an alternative format. Special requests must be made in a reasonable amount of time in order that accommodations can be arranged.

934-406747, 3/17,25

FULL TIME

AUTO TECH IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR A Ford Certified Tech Excellent benefits & hours. Contact: Melia, Covington Ford Service, 770-786-3432 SPORTS REPORTER Chosun Daily News, LLC seeks Sports Reporter to collect, analyze, & write about sports related events for publication.

Req’d: Korean language skills & B.A in any Sports related field.

Send resumes to job loc: 2730 N. Berkeley Lake Rd, Ste. 800, Duluth, GA 30096 Dental Technicians

Pittman Dental Laboratory Gainesville, GA Has immediate openings for Entry Level or Experienced Dental Technicians for Day or Night Shift. Please send resume to careers@ pittmandental.com.

No phone calls please.

DOOR INSTALLER WANTED Experienced Only Must Have Own Tools & Transportation.

CALL 770-446-1196

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

BY M.D. NANNI

ELECTRICAL PANEL REPLACEMENT $929.17 THIS MONTH ONLY

The Doctor Is In

• Oak • Maple • Cherry • Walnut New Homes Repairs Refinishing Renovations

SPECIALTY WORK

• Borders • Stairways • Medallions Free Estimates Insured/Certified Michael Nanni

IRISH ELECTRIC, INC. 678-255-6303

770-867-9670

• Licensed • Insured & Bonded • Residential • Comm.

FOREST REMODELING, INC. •Finished Basements •Bathroom Remodeling •Kitchen Remodeling •Custom Cabinets •Room Additions •Garages/Carports •Screened Porches •Custom Decks •Siding All Types Call John

770-962-2071 HANDYMAN SOLUTIONS

BY HERNANDO All Home Remodeling Projects & General Repairs Including: HVAC troubleshooting & more!

Over 25 years of exp. in all home repairs & improvements. *Licensed & Insured*

678-482-1702

hcorrales17@gmail.com

All Major Credit Cards Accepted 405599-1

404-670-3087

Call for a Free Estimate

FULL TIME MANAGEMENT

ON-SITE PROPERTY MANAGER

MAINTENANCE INVENTORY SPECIALIST Gwinnett County Public Schools is seeking a Maintenance Inventory Specialist.

The position requires a valid Georgia driver’s license, and a high school diploma or GED. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Knowledge of warehouse storeroom operations including the use of computers and computerized inventory systems, knowledge of parts procurement, receipt, stocking, and issuance.

Two years experience in warehouse operations or similar experience is required.

Apply online at GCPSjobs.org to Job ID 44454 Or Fax cover letter and resume to 678-377-3957

Immediate Openings If you are interested in working for an energetic team and A fast paced environment Rockdale Healthcare Center Is Seeking Applicants for

RN to work 11PM-7AM LPN’S, CNA’S Chefs, Servers, Dietary Aides, Activities Assistant FT Occupational Therapist Please Email Resume to agrace@rockdalehc. com or ycolbert@ rockdalehc.com Or apply within @ 1510 Renaissance Drive NE Conyers, GA 30012

POLICE OFFICER The City of Winder is accepting applications for Certified Police Officer with the Police Department.

Competitive salary $36,582 - $45,003 and benefits, Deferred Income Program, paid vacations, holidays, comprehensive medical plans, vision, dental insurance, Life Insurance, critical insurance, take home vehicle program, and a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Must be able to work a 12 hour shifts including on-call status, nights, weekends, holidays, court dates, and overtime.

Education Incentive Addition Annually • Associates Degree $2,600.00 • Bachelor’s Degree $3,900.00

The City of Winder is accepting applications for Police Recruit.

Salary upon Successful Completion of Academy with an Associates Degree: $36,582.00 + $2,600.00 Education Incentive Annually.

Education Incentive Addition • Bachelor’s Degree $3900.00 For an application and the minimum qualifications for each position, please visit our website at www. cityofwinder.com.

Applications must be completed for these positions.

Resumes along with applications can be submitted to the HR Department at the City of Winder located at 45 E. Athens Street Winder, Ga. 30680.

The City of Winder is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

GTS

AMERICAN BEAUTY

• General Repairs Licensed & Insured

CALL: 770-771-2810

IN THE

CLASSIFIEDS PART-TIME CAREGIVER Bedridden female needs compassionate caregiver Sat. & Sun. 3pm-11pm. May involve lgt. housework, but primary tending to afflicted persons needs. Must be able to lift 10 lbs. Call 770-547-5438.

POLICE RECRUIT

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

• Roofing • Basement Finishing • Kitchen Remodeling • Bath Remodeling • Additions • Decks • Fencing • Painting

RV SALES SPECIALISTS NEEDED Hiring Immediately!

Campers Inn RV of Atlanta is hiring bright, energetic, and career-minded people to join their top-rated sales team.

If you: •Are energetic, enthusiastic and self-motivated •Believe in teamwork •Believe in the integrity of selling •Have a willingness to learn Then we will: •Train you to be a product specialist •Train you to develop relationsihps and provide exceptional service •Open the door for you to join one of the nation’s largest family-owned dealerships We are also offering a $1,500 signing bonus for qualified applicants!

Interview times are this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For details and confidential interview, contact: Phone: 404-377-8000 Email: employment@ campersinn.com

CAREER

HOME REPAIR/ REMODELING

ROOFING & REMODELING

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

Dacula, GA 30019

MONROE, GA 30655

MAKE OFFER! 0 DROWNING CREEK RD. Gorgeous +/- 15.87 Acre Tract With 694 Feet Of Road Frontage Zoned RA200 $350,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

DRASTICALLY REDUCED! 2.56 ACRES ON N. BROAD ST. Zoned B-3 All utilities available.

Property will make a great strip mall. $135,000 Bring All Offers EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

2.18 ACRES LAKE WALTON ESTATES! 6219 WATERS EDGE DRIVE All Brick, Executive Home In One Of Walton County’s Exclusive, Gated Communities Sits Across From Neighborhood Amenities On 2.18 Acres FULL FINISHED BASEMENT 4BR/4.5BA $579,900 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

“Your Lawn Care Professionals” • Lawns Cut at $30-Up • Pine Straw • Bobcat Work • Mulching • Pressure Washing • Privacy Fencing • Retaining Walls Accept Most Credit Cards Free Estimates • Sign a 12 Month Agreement & Receive 1 Month Free!

678-773-6506 404-553-1177

INDEPENDENT CONTRACT CARRIER, PT EARN EXTRA CA$H Part Time Independent Contract Carriers needed to deliver newspapers to residential Rockdale and Fayette County areas. Earn $1000 to $1500 per month(paid weekly). Must be able to cover fuel costs for the first week of operation. Contract position. 1099 issued at end of year. Hours 1:00am to 6:00am Mon - Sun (can vary slightly). Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, current insurance required. Must have your own substitute if you can’t deliver your route. Responses must be sent to: ajcfulfillmentadmins@ coxinc.com and should include name, zip code and phone number.

Expert Take Downs √ 20Years Experience √ Insured √ Free Estimates √ Stump Grinding Bucket Truck Summer Seasoned

M&M Lawn

Oak

Maintenance

1/2 Cord - $100 1 Cord - $190

All Types of Yard Work

Delivered & Dumped

* Lawns starting at $30 CALL

770-780-9786

LICENSED

770-932-1751 Cell 770-313-5751

REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS

COMMERCIAL LOT! 1190 W. SPRING ST. Commercial Lot Zoned M-1 Unlimited Uses .87 Acres $475,000• EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

ABSOLUTE AUCTION 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath House 3425 Underwood Rd, Conyers

Tuesday, March 22nd at 1:00

EATONTON, GA 31024

LAKE SINCLAIR! REDUCED! 176 Twisting Hill Rd. Beautiful Lake Front Property On Deeded Lot! Inground Salt Water Pool, Detached 2 Car Carport, Front/ Back & Side Porches!

FULL UNFINISHED BASEMENT 4BR/4BA $649,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE CONYERS, GA 30094

REDUCED! LAND LOT! BRING ALL OFFERS! 3604 Sand Hill Dr. Imagine Your Dream Home Here & You Sitting In Your Sunroom Overlooking The 8Th Fairway Of Honey Creek Golf Course While Sipping Your Morning Coffee $22,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

37.13 ACRES 1155 Jim Daws Rd Great 37.132 Acre Tract Zoned A-2, With Nice Hardwoods & Pines. Perfect For Livestock, Farming, Hunting, Or Build Your Dream Home $242,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

MIKE’S TREE SERVICE Experienced Tree Work 20+ Years All Phases of Tree Work

-

Tree Removal Prunning Stump Grinding Wood Chipper

References Available

Free Estimate!

Made in USA

770-714-8250 770-271-7127

Call 706-525-1881 or 678-283-4508

APTS/DUP/CONDOS/ T’HOMES FOR RENT

2 Communities!

SOUTH CAROLINA, LAKE KEOWEE Waterfront Cottages Gated, Luxury Amenities! Lodge, Pool, Fitness Center, Boat Slips & more.

Other New & Resale Cottages From $130’s to $299’s!

1-888-663-1133 www.backwaterlanding. com Office Hours: Fri 8:30-4:00 Sat & Sun By Appointment Only

One on Singleton Rd. & One on Law’villeSuwanee Rd.! 2BR & 3BR, 2BA, Fireplace, vaulted ceilings, off street parking.

Starting @ $900/mo.

B.C. PROPERTIES 770-446-1550 770-995-8828 MOBILE HOMES & LOTS FOR RENT BARROW-AUBURN 1-2-3 BEDROOMS IN MOBILE Home COMMUNITY. RENT starting at $100/week.

Large Lots.

770-513-3151 ROOMMATE WANTED /ROOM FOR RENT LAWRENCEVILLE ROOM FOR RENT $525/Month. Sugarloaf Mills area. Near Gwnt.

Transit. Quiet n’borhood.

Ideal for student & others. 678-825-2656 678-353-9483 470-429-9574

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

BRING ALL OFFERS/ REDUCED! 2302 S.E. EBENEZER RD Great Commercial Property In High Traffic Area Of Rockdale County At The Corner Of Ga Hwy 138 & Ebenezer Rd With Double Road Frontage $1,100,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

POWER WASHING

PRESSURE WASHING HOUSES STARTING AT $89 • Roof Cleaning • Black streaks removed from roof • Mold & Mildew removed from homes • Drives-WalkwaysPatios-Decks cleaned/sealed • Gutters cleaned For a FREE Estimate

CALL OR TEXT

404.886.3587 Established 1989

SERENITY LAWN CARE • Any Lawn Work!

If it’s in your yard, we do it!

Landscape Design using any material Trimming & debris Clean Up • Pressure Washing

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

GWINNETT DUPLEXES

CONYERS, GA 30094

BRING ALL OFFERS! PEMCO HUD CASE # 105-485049 60 RAINEY WAY Cute Ranch Home On Nice Private Lot With Spacious Back Yard 4BR/2BA INSURED W/ESCROW $75,000 • EHO Peters Realty Professionals 770-466-2885 www.petersrealtyprofessionals.com

Auction to settle estate Selling for the highest bid, regardless of the price Interstateauction.com Interstate Auction Company 404-303-1232 ext 12 GAL#1966

LAKE/RIVER/COASTAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

COVINGTON, GA 30016

LANDSCAPING/ LAWN CARE

COUNTRY BOY TREE REMOVAL

MONROE, GA 30655

MONROE, GA 30656

MAKE IT A

EOE

NOW HIRING

FARMS, LOTS & ACREAGE FOR SALE

COVINGTON, GA 30014

Self Storage Co. seeks couple for on-site management position.

Experience a MUST. Salary + Benefits.

Send Resume to: storagejob12@yahoo. com

MECHANIC EXPERIENCED TRACTOR DIESEL MECHANIC NEEDED Mechanic needed to support full function shop for heavy duty over the road trucking company operating Volvos, Freightliners, Internationals and Peterbilts.

• Must have a full set of tools • Must have personal transportation to and from work • 5+ years working on heavy duty diesel engines • Must know how to use the Cummins, Volvo and Detroit engine software • Willing to work overtime when required • Willing to work weekends if needed • Willing to assist in emergency on call after hours when needed • Must pass criminal background checkNo Felonies • Must pass pre-employment drug screen • ASE Certified a Plus Email resume to sonny.b@volinc. com or call Sonny Bell, 770-482-1400 Ext. 241

FULL TIME

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

classifieds 770-962-SELL

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

LAWRENCEVILLE RECORDING STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE Office/Warehouses 1200 up to 18000 sf Mike 404-375-5438.

GARAGE SALES BUFORD, 30518 ESTATE SALE SAT., MARCH 26TH ONLY! 38 CLOUD ST. Furn., tools, kitchen, to much too list! 678-372-1273

DACULA, 30019 GARAGE SALE 2481 Radcliffe Court Furniture, household items, clothes, shoes, purses, etc.

Excellent condition!

Saturday, March 26 7am - 4 pm TUCKER, 30084 Big Indoor Yard Sale with Antiques!

Fri. 3/25 & Sat. 3/26, 9-4. 4699 Ginson Dr. off Old Norcross Rd. APPLIANCES DRYER/WASHER $125 ea.; Super Capacity $175 ea.

Front Loader Set $450 & up; Regular Refrig. & Ranges $175 & up; SXS Refrig. $300 & up.

Dishwasher $100 & up. Different colors.

Del/1 yr warr.

Tim 404-205-2222 WASHER & DRYER: Kenmore, Heavy Duty, 70 Series, Washer & Dryer Matching Set, $350. 770-979-7534 FURNITURE/ HOUSEHOLD GOODS BED- QUEEN PILLOW TOP MATTRESS Set-NEW-still in plastic, $200. King size pillow top mattress set, brand new in plastic, $300.

Can Deliver.

Call 706-347-4814

0325_GDP_FRI_CLASS_Classifieds 3/24/2016 4:54 PM Page B9

gwinnettdailypost.com FURNITURE/ HOUSEHOLD GOODS

VEHICLES

VEHICLES

VEHICLES

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • B9

VEHICLES

Your Dealership Should Be Easy To Find!

Duluth Hwy 120

LEXUS IS 250, 2013 Tungsten Pearl, Stk#U40786 $26,993 770-680-1000

NISSAN MURANO, 2011 Tinted Bronze Metallic, Stk#650198A $15,500 877-698-5030

Hwy 316

FORD ESCAPE S, 2013 Oxford White, Stk#P8171 $16,872 800-PREOWNED

HONDA CIVIC SEDAN, 2014 Crystal Black Pearl, Stk#640349A $14,200 877-698-5030

LEXUS IS 250, 2015 Nebula Gray Pearl, Stk#G151249L $34,590 770-680-1000

NISSAN PATHFINDER SV SUV, 2015 Cayenne Red, Stk#P5271 $24,969 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

FORD ESCAPE, 2014 Sterling Gray Metallic, Stk#670037A $15,999 877-698-5030

HONDA CIVIC SEDAN, 2015 Urban Titanium Metallic, Stk#L5200070 $17,200 877-698-5030

LEXUS RX 350, 2012 Starfire Pearl, Stk#U40865 $29,590 770-680-1000

GWINNETT PLACE MALL

RU

BE IN

1

RD

75

DECATUR

2

MALL OF GA

BUFORD

WINDER

LAWRENCEVILLE

ER

LILBURN SNELLVILLE

LOGANVILLE

L

RIA

MO

ME

MALL OF GA

2

AV

N'LAKE MALL

ATLANTA

y.

ord

DULUTH 4

TUCKER NISSAN ROGUE S SUV, 2013 Black Amethyst, Stk#GC796511A $16,995 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

Buf

NORTHPOINT MALL

400

If your old stuff is collecting dust, it could be collecting cash!

FORD FIESTA SE, 2014 Race Red, Stk#P8182 $11,501 800-PREOWNED

BUFORD

ROSWELL

PERIMETER MALL

COMMERCE

53

Hw

3

9

60

Hwy

CUMMING ALPHARETTA

GAINESVILLE

Dr. Buford

CASH PAID FOR WORLD WAR I & WORLD WAR II Dangers, swords, uniforms, medals, helmets, patches, photos, sterling wings, etc. Call 770-483-4870

1 lvd eB

HEWATT RD

WANT TO BUY

ellit Sat

WN'S BRO E G BRID

I-85N, Exit 105 or I-85S, Exit 107.

Follow the signs to Boggs Road.

Boggs Rd

HUNTING & FISHING

MEMBERSHIP WILKES COUNTY 300+ acres. Deer, turkey & hogs.

Hardwoods, pines & planted pines.

Electricity. Large campsites, deer cleaning station & 4 creeks. Avg. rack 8 pt., avg. wgt. over 200 lbs. $475 dues, $100 elec., $10 sec. light per year.

770-922-6434 Frank. Time is the essence, 8 weeks March 7 - May 7.

400

Boggs Rd

r.

Buford D

ESTATE SALE French Provincial Bdrm.

Suite w/ double bed, box springs, mattress, dresser / mirror, chest of drawers, & night stand, $1495. Traditional Bdrm.

Suite w/ queen bed, box springs, dresser / mirror, chest of drawers, night stand, $1495. Roll top secretarial desk. Total body vibrating machine.

China. Call for more info.

678-327-7321.

HONDA CIVIC SEDAN, 2012 Polished Metal Metallic, Stk#8517 $13,500 877-698-5030

PEA CHT RE IND BLV E D

DINING SET With Six (6) Cushioned Chairs. Excellent Condition. $450.

Call 404-921-8180

FORD EDGE SE, 2011 Ingot Silver, Stk#GBB14907A $16,518 800-PREOWNED

20

CONYERS

20

This map is not to scale and is for illustration purposes only.

HONDA ODYSSEY, 2007 Ocean Mist Metallic, Stk#670196A $10,000 877-698-5030

classifieds

HAYES LAWRENCEVILLE

1 CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP 719 Pike St, Lawrenceville 770-963-5251 www.hayeschrysler.com

RICK HENDRICK

3 CHEVROLET OF BUFORD 4490 South Lee St., Buford, GA 30518 888-804-2957 www.hendrickbuford.com

PETS/LIVESTOCK

BLOODHOUND FREE to a good home ONLY. Registered black and brindle, 2 years old. Gentle.

Spayed and has chip. Allergies prevent us keeping her.

Call 678-491-4840

ADOPT A PET

JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE, 2015 Brilliant Black, Stk#FFDO1457A $19,398 800-PREOWNED

FORD FOCUS SE SEDAN, 2013 Ingot Silver, Stk#FY382856A $9,970 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

MERCEDES C250W SPORT, 2012 Diamond White, Stk#G5218614B $18,999 800-PREOWNED

CAT Part Siamese, orange & white, neutered, approx. 2 years old, litter trained. Free to a good home. Lv. msg. 770885-3489

NISSAN ROGUE SV SUV, 2013 Pearl White, Stk#P5233 $16,469 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

FORD FOCUS SE, 2015 Black, Stk#P8166 $13,350 800-PREOWNED VEHICLES

CHEVROLET CRUZE LS SEDAN, 2014 Black Granite, Stk#GC146764A $12,997 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

CHEVROLET MALIBU, 2014 Silver Ice Metallic, Stk#8500 $16,600 877-698-5030

CHRYSLER 200, 2015 Ceramic BlueClearcoat, Stk#670130M $15,900 877-698-5030

2

LEXUS RX 350, 2013 Satin Cashmere Metallic, Stk#U40780 $34,990 770-680-1000

FORD FUSION SE, 2013 Bordeaux, Stk #P8177 $13,999 800-PREOWNED

FORD MUSTANG, 2013 Sterling Grey, Stk#G5264339A $17,032 800-PREOWNED

LEXUS CT 200H, 2013 Silver Lining Metallic, Stk#U40872 $22,990 770-680-1000

LEXUS ES 350, 2012 Tungsten Pearl, Stk#U40785 $25,990 770-680-1000

MERCEDES-BENZ, 1988 560 SL 69,340 ONE OWNER MILES! CONVERTIBLE! Fabulous, all original and the best you will find. Hagerty and NADA value $34,000$73,000. Drive anywhere...it is like new and has a super low price of only $18,900, great investment and fast appreciating.

Call 770-873-2627.

NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S, 2014 Brilliant Silver, Stk#FC274619A $14,452 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

NISSAN SENTRA S SEDAN, 2014 Super Black, Stk#FC272537A $12,995 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

NISSAN MAXIMA 3.5 SV, 2012 Winter Frost Pearl, Stk#P5266 $20,989 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

LEXUS GX 460, 2013 Tungsten Pearl, Stk#U40858 $45,990 770-680-1000

3277 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096 888-475-8808 www.hendrickatlanta.com

Expand Your Shopping Network

NISSAN VERSA NOTE SV, 2015 Fresh Powder, Stk#5273 $10,978 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

GWINNETT LINERS PUBLICATION DAY

GMC ACADIA, 2011 Summit White, Stk#670226B $17,200 877-698-5030 LEXUS IS 250, 2010 Matador Red Mica, Stk#U40811 $22,990 770-680-1000

Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

DEADLINE Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm Thursday 3 pm Friday 3 pm

DISPLAY ADS PUBLICATION DAY Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

HONDA ACCORD COUPE, 2012 Alabaster Silver Metallic, Stk#660080B $14,000 877-698-5030

HONDA ACCORD, 2007. White/Beige, 92k Miles, Factory Navigation, Non-Smoker. $3300. 404-445-7403

RICK HENDRICK

4 CHEVROLET OF DULUTH

NISSAN SENTRA SL SEDAN, 2015 Brilliant Silver, Stk#R0325 $18,993 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINES

FIAT 500 SPORT, 2015 Nero Puro, Stk#GR337338A $14,400 800-PREOWNED

630 Scenic Hwy., Lawrenceville 770-963-9266 www.nashchevy.com

LEXUS GS 350, 2013 Liquid Platinum, Stk#U40791 $35,990 770-680-1000

FORD TAURUS LIMITED, 2015 Sterling Grey, Stk#P8167 $21,000 800-PREOWNED

DODGE AVENGER, 2013 Tungsten, Stk#FC498599B $13,979 866-697-9241 Gwinnett Place

NASH CHEVROLET

LEXUS IS 250, 2012 Nebula Gray Pearl, Stk#U40854 $24,990 770-680-1000

DEADLINE Friday 3 pm Monday 3 pm Tuesday 3 pm Wednesday 3 pm

To place a Classified ad please call

770-962-7355

to speak with a Sales Rep. or you can place an ad online at www.gwinnettdailypost.com

You’ll love shopping the classifieds!

Gwinnett Daily Post

www.gwinnettdailypost.com To place an ad, call: 770-962-SELL (7355)

400180-1

DOGS

10B • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

THE LINCOLN BLACK LABEL EXPERIENCE Lincoln Black Label is a personalized experience that exceeds ownership. Designed to impress those with impeccable taste, Lincoln Black Label unifies design and service – featuring a curated collection of interior themes and a host of exclusive membership privileges, inspired by attention to detail and love of automobiles.

CURATED THEMES 2016 LINCOLN BLACK LABEL MKC

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MEMBER PRIVILEGES Makes it easy to keep your new Lincoln Black Label vehicle like new.

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we Gwinnett Daily Post

weekend entertainment

FRIDAY MARCH 25, 2016

C UR IO U S?

Cirque du Soleil bringing ‘Kurios’ to Atlantic Station page 4C

10 spot the

10 FACTS ON EASTER SPENDING

Spending on Easter-related items is at a 13-year high according to a recent study by the National Retail Federation. The study, conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, said Americans will spend $17.3 billion for the holiday.

1. The average person will spend $146 per person, up nearly $6 from last year.

2. Consumers celebrate Easter in several ways: 57.8 percent will visit family and friends, 55.6 percent will cook a holiday meal, 51.3 percent will go to church and 15.6 percent will go to a restaurant.

3. Children will also have plenty of entertainment as 31.4 percent of consumers plan an Easter egg hunt and 13.9 percent will open gifts.

4. Overall, consumers will spend $5.5 billion on food, $3 billion on clothing, $2.7 billion on gifts, $2.4 billion on candy and $1.2 billion on flowers.

5. Fortune.com reported that the candy spending tops even Halloween as that figure in September from the NRF was estimated to be $2.1 billion.

6. Halloween was still more expensive than Easter per sugar treats at $24.65, about 86 cents more than how much each Easter-goers plan to spend.

7. Easter is also a more widely celebrated holiday among Americans: 80 percent reportedly plan to celebrate the spring holiday, according to the NRF, while 60 percent of Americans planned to celebrate Halloween.

9. Fortune.com also reported that a separate study by the National Confectioners Association in 2014 said that 83 percent of parents polled planned to buy or create an Easter basket for their children filled with candy or chocolate.

10. Who eats the candy? 81 percent of parents also said they steal from their children’s stash. That’s from a survey of 1,300 adults in 2014.

a look ahead

Friday, April 1 • Suwanee Food Truck Fridays Food Truck Fridays return to Suwanee this spring and summer as each month will bring food and music from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Music begins at 7 p.m.

• Lawrenceville Live Downtown Lawrenceville will have a similar event with street performers, local musicians, local business activities and holiday themed celebrations. The event begins at 6 p.m. on the Lawrenceville Lawn.

• Norcross First Friday Concert SeriesThe Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center will host the city’s First Friday Concert Series featuring “The Breeze Kings.” It is a free concert with draped tables and food and beverages. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Review of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” page 8C

Saturday, April 2 • Southeastern Railway Museum’s Caboose Days Caboose Days are coming April 2 and 3 to the Southeastern Railway Museum. The event will begin at 10 a.m., and attendees can learn about cabooses and the crews that work on them.

• First Saturday aviation program and pancake breakfast The first Saturday Aviation Program and Pancake Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. with pancakes, eggs, sausages, biscuits, milk, juice and coffee breakfast in the EAA Sport Aviation Center at Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field.

The price of breakfast for adults is $6, children under 10 is $3.

2C • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

dining

Cinderella story

By Jon Gallo

to break down what you put in your mouth. This time around, Brown’s culinary Long before Alton Brown variety show will served up science to explain stop in 40 cities, food on “Good Eats,” provided where audiences commentary inside Kitchen can expect more Stadium or sabotages on “Cutcomedy, talk throat Kitchen,” one of the Food show antics, Network’s most enduring stars multimedia prebroke into the industry by serving Alton Brown sentations, new something else: pizza. puppets, singing In 1982 while thousands and, of course, food experiments. packed Sanford Stadium to Brown, a University of Georgia watch Herschel Walker and the graduate, recently spoke with the Bulldogs run wild Between the Gwinnett Daily Post about his Hedges, Brown spent his football unconventional road to the top of Saturdays zipping from door to the culinary world, his favorite door as a delivery boy for Sons Atlanta restaurants, how Chickof Italy. fil-A broke his heart and why you “I wanted the 35-cent tips,” he won’t see him eating at Waffle recently said over the phone from House anytime soon. his Marietta home. “I needed the GDP: You’ve become known money, and business was best as someone who uses science to during football games.” explore food. Why did you decide Millions of food fans know to use science as an avenue into Brown’s name. His quirky, blunt the culinary world? approach to all things food have AB: It was born out of necesmade him one of the biggest sity. I quickly realized I didn’t names in the culinary world. But have enough talent as a chef, so what most don’t know is The I needed to understand the food New York Times Bestselling differently. I started by using sciauthor with 2.79 million Twitter ence, high school-level science. I followers who has been honored learned that for me, science was by the James Beard Foundation, the way because I wasn’t talented Peabody and Bon Appétit made enough to do it any other way. ends meet in college as a pizza GDP: Speaking of science, boy. outside of the oven, refrigerator “It was very humbling,” and microwave, what are the top Brown, 53, said. “I had to find 3 inventions that have had the something satisfying about it, so I greatest impact on food? viewed it as an apprenticeship. In AB: First, I’d have to say canthe end — in the end — being in ning, the process of canning. It the food industry means serving started in Napoleonic times, and people. It’s like the Bob Dylan the process allowed food to be song, everyone’s ‘Gotta Serve preserved. Second, I’d go with Somebody.’” the barrel. Whether it’s for food But the miles Brown, who or for whiskey, the creation of the moved to Georgia as a young wooden barrel allowed food to be boy, put on his car during his moved. Before food was bardays delivering pizza pale in reled, it pretty much just sat there comparison to the strides he’s in one place. Barreling changed made since leaving Athens in the countries’ economies because early ’80s. He’s hosted four Food now food was able to be moved.

Network shows, the most recent It had a huge impact. Think about as the sadistic auctioneer of sabo- pork butt. That’s not referring tages on “Cutthroat Kitchen.” to a place on the pigs body, but But when he’s not making life the barrel it was packed into that miserable for contestants vying was called a “butt.” For No. 3, I’d for $25,000, he travels across the go with the still, the kettle still. country performing his “Alton It was used not just for alcohol Brown Live: Eat Your Science” and spirits, but it made extracts, tour that hits the Fox Theatre at and that changed the economy 7:30 p.m. on April 9. structure of countries. We hear all Brown’s first tour, “Edible the time about how the U.S. was Inevitable,” showed he was more built on wheat, but the truth is than just a nerd who used science this country’s crop is corn. With

Food Network’s Alton Brown goes from pizza delivery boy to TV star

Special to the Post

GWINNETT EATS A selection of local eateries recently featured in the Gwinnett Daily Post:

way, Suite 118B, Peachtree Corners, 404-431-3478, https:// www.facebook.com/Pubten/

Pub Ten Popular with the after work crowd, Pub Ten is an American casual gastropub with the feel of a traditional Irish or English pub, in part because of its popularity where people congregate, socialize and share laughs together. The restaurant mixes old-school and modern elements in its design, and popular dishes include the crab salad, the Glenn’s (Upside Down) Wonton Nachos with Pulled Korean BBQ Brisket.

5270 Peachtree Park-

Sugar Hill Subs Sugar Hill Subs is a locally owned sub shop offering patrons a fast-casual dining experience with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Sugar Hill Subs offers a selection of subs, salads and soups. A customer favorite is the gyro made with traditional beef/lamb gyro meat, lettuce, onion, tomatoes, Tzatziki sauce, hummus and cucumber served in a warm pita.

4450 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Suite A8, Sugar Hill, 770-831-7540, www.

Alton Brown performs on his live tour. (Special Photo: David Allen)

IF YOU GO Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science • When: 7:30 p.m. April 9 • Where: Fox Theatre • Tickets: $47.50, $57.50, $62.50 and $150, are available online at www.FoxTheatre.org, by phone at 855-285-8499, or visiting the Fox theatre Ticket Office

the still, corn became much easier to transport because it could be distilled into liquids like whiskey and other extracts.

GDP: Your extended family is over at your house for dinner and you get to choose any chef, excluding family members, to cook dinner. Who are you taking?

AB: I’d want to choose an absolutely really good friend, so I’d pick Geoffrey Zakarian.

GDP: What would you tell Zakarian, who has three nationally acclaimed restaurants, an awardwinning cookbook and is a fellow Food Network Star, to cook?

AB: Hell, I wouldn’t tell him to do anything. I’d let him choose and get out of the way. I wouldn’t be a dictator in the kitchen.

GDP: If you could beat any Iron Chef inside Kitchen Stadium, who would it be?

AB: Masaharu Morimoto. I’d rig the game, though. I’d make

facebook.com/Sugarhillsubs-452988704712504 Taqueria del Mar Taqueria del Mar offers a casual dining atmosphere that’s perfect a variety of occasions, from friends looking to meet up and a catch up over some specialty tacos to families wanting to get out of the house and enjoy a meal together. Taqueria del Mar offers a selection of specialty tacos and true to it’s name del mar, which means from sea, there is a focus on seafood.

5075 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 105 A, Peachtree Corners, 678-820-9836, www. taqueriadelmar.com

sure there was no fish anywhere inside Kitchen Stadium.

GDP: What are your three most favorite restaurants in Atlanta?

AB: First, I’ll go with Marcel, my next choice would be The Butcher The Baker, and my third is, well, that’s hard, but I’ll go with Hankook Taqueria.

GDP: When was the last time you ate at McDonald’s?

AB: I haven’t eaten a Big Mac in 20 years.

GDP: Not a fan of fast food?

AB: I love fast food. There’s so much great fast food out there.

I’m not a fan of bad fast food, and there’s a lot of it out there, too.

GDP: You grew up in Georgia.

What about Chick-fil-A? AB: I absolutely love Chickfil-A, but I’m upset with them, so I’m boycotting them because they took coleslaw off the menu.

When I’d go to Chick-fil-A, I’d always get three strips with a side of pickles because I like to eat them together with a side of slaw. I’m not speaking with them.

When they got rid of coleslaw, they broke my heart. I don’t understand it.

GDP: You know they replaced coleslaw with kale salad, which is really good. I’ve had it several times.

AB: Kale? Did you say kale?

Hog and Ale Smokehouse The smokehouse has a casual, neighborhood barbecue joint feel with wood-lined walls, a selection of housemade sauces on each table and country music subtly playing in the background.

Hog and Ale offers a selection of slow-smoked meats — including beef brisket, pork butt and chicken — smoked over red and white oak and hickory, as well as homemade sides.

5450 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 678585-1514, www.facebook. com/HogandAleSmokehouse

I don’t go to Chick-fil-A to eat kale. I go there to eat slaw.

GDP: You’re a Southerner, what about Waffle House?

AB: There isn’t a restaurant I love more with worse food. The food is repulsive. In the past few years, the food has gone out the backdoor. I have so many good memories of Waffle House growing up, but right now their food isn’t fit for human consumption.

We deserve better. I know I’m going to take heat for saying that. If you look at all the great chefs that have come out of Waffle House; if you can handle the grill station or the egg station there, you can work on any line in any kitchen in America. It’s not easy running those stations at Waffle House.

You have to have talent. But we need to quit lying to ourselves about the food there. It’s bad.

GDP: I guess it wouldn’t be the best time to ask if you like your hash browns scattered, smothered and covered?

AB: At Waffle House? I’m 53 years old, and I have to watch my calories. If I eat too many calories, bad things happen. So when I eat, I want to extract maximum pleasure out of everything. I love hash browns, and when I eat them, I want to make sure they are really good hash browns. I don’t have enough time left in my life to eat bad hash browns.

Sugo Sugo is a family-run restaurant that offers customers a warm, inviting atmosphere and a casual, yet up-scale dining environment. Sugo offers a fusion menu inspired by Castelluci’s Greek and Italian heritage with a slight twist of chef Ricardo Soto’s Spanish heritage. A house specialty is the Meatball Al Sugo — made with roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, dates and tomato basil sauce — which was featured by the Food Network.

10305 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, 770-8178000, www.sugorestaurant. com

The Magnolia Place Restaurant The Magnolia Place Restaurant is located in a picturesque, white Antebellumstyle home with columns and a large front porch offering a couple of rockers, benches and a wicker chair for seating.

The Magnolia Place Restaurant offers a buffet of homecooked Southern fare, which includes old-fashioned staples such as baked chicken, madefrom-scratch macaroni and cheese, buttermilk biscuits, chicken tenders, country fried steak and green beans.

41 W. Candler St., Winder, 678-975-7048, www.magnoliaplacerestaurant.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 3C

gwinnettdailypost.com

Young artists wanted to apply for scholarship auditions It is spring at last, which means it is time for the Duluth Fine Arts League to give away arts scholarships to aspiring young visual and performing artists.

Once again this nonprofit organization will celebrate and support the artistic talent within its environs with a showcasing audition event and the distribution of funding.

This year’s mandatory audition will take place on April 26 at the Red Clay Theatre in downtown Duluth. From 7 to 10 p.m., a panel of judges and a live audience will enjoy evaluating the talents of young artists, graduating seniors from either Duluth or Peachtree Ridge High Schools or home schooled in the Duluth environs.

They must plan a career in the arts. The event is free to the public.

Those wishing to participate must have their submissions sent online and received by March 27. Applications for the scholarships can be found at duluthfineartsleague. org/fine-arts-scholarships-

Art Beat

Holley Calmes information.html.

Categories include visual arts including fine art, graphics or photography; music, either vocal or instrumental; and theater arts such as dance and acting. More details are online. Proof of a college acceptance letter must be received by April 14.

A significant amount of money has been raised to award these young talents.

This year’s total is $8,000, a new benchmark of giving. Since DFAL began this project, $32,000 has been awarded to area seniors who qualified for the scholarships.

Three first place winners were recently interviewed about receiving this schol-

The Duluth Fine Arts League awards scholarships each spring to Duluth High School seniors planning to major in their art form in college. Last year’s winners are, from left to right, Gemini Kaushik, Lindsey Sharpe, Samuel Lusins, Zachary Benator and Jasmine Bouges. (Special Photo)

arship. All believed that the scholarship validated their decision to major in the arts in college.

Julie Fox was the very first winner. “It was so wonderful to know that DFAL and my community supported me in my deci-

sion to pursue music,” she said. “I am now an arts administrator. I feel lucky to have a career in music, and it all started with DFAL.” 2013’s first place winner, Christina Bignotti, said, “This scholarship helped me go confidently into my

freshman year as a theater major knowing I had the support of the people in my community.”

Last year’s winner, Zachary Benator, experienced some discouragement from others regarding his career path. He said,

“DFAL was telling me that music is valuable, that the arts are important. They told me that they had faith in music as a profession and most of all, they had faith in me. It was the push I needed.”

DFAL Scholarship Chairperson said, “This event has been very successful and entertaining in the past. There are some extremely talented young artists in Duluth; they are the future of the arts in our city. I feel confident saying that if you join us at the audition event, you will be very glad you came.”

DFAL will also sponsor its Spring Art Walk on Friday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Duluth.

The event will showcase local artists demonstrating their various talents, and there will be activities and food for all ages. For more information, visit www. duluthfineartsleague.org.

Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts. Email her at hcalmes@mindspring.com.

EASTER EVENTS Saturday, March 26

The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse is hosting breakfast with the Easter Bunny at 8:30 a.m. in the Superior Court Ballroom.

Kids can create a craft and receive a keepsake photo.

Seating is limited, but parents or guardians must attend with children. The courthouse is located at 185 W. Crogan St. in Lawrenceville. For ticket pricing

call 770-822-5450.

The Mall of Georgia is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt at 9:30 a.m. in the Village. The hunt is divided into two groups, infants to 4 years old and ages 5 to 10. The Mall of Georgia is located at 3333 Buford Drive in Buford. For more information, call 678482-8788.

The Bethesda Park Aquatic Center is hosting

an underwater egg hunt at 11 a.m. Wear a swimsuit and bring a waterproof basket to go diving for eggs. Children can also enjoy crafts, games, an inflatable bouncy house and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are $12 per person and include one free adult admission. The center is located at 225 Bethesda Church Road in Lawrenceville. For more

Sugarloaf Ballet Company

Community Yard Sale All proceeds benefit Sugarloaf Performing Arts NEW FACILITY ’t Don You o T t Wan is!

Th s s i M

Sale Location: 1140 Old Peachtree Rd. • Suite B Duluth, GA 30097

information and to register

by March 18, call 678-2770880.

The Mall of Georgia is hosting photos with the Easter Bunny through March 26 in the lower level Mountain Court. The mall is located at 3333 Buford Drive in Buford. For photo schedule information, call 678-482-8788.

Sugarloaf Mills is hosting photos with the Easter Bunny through March 26 in the AMC Lobby near Entrance 4. The mall is located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville.

For more information, call 678-847-5000.

Braelyn Esco, 3, collects eggs at the City of Sugar Hill 11th annual Easter Egg Hunt at E.E. Robinson Park on Saturday. (Photos: Chris Roughgarden)

4C • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

Curiouser & Curiouser

gwinnettdailypost.com

Cirque du Soleil to bring ‘Kurios’ to Atlantic Station

By Frank Reddy Staff Correspondent

In Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios,” serial artists like the one above soar to impressive heights and crisscross above the stage while performing synchronized figures that require flawless timing.

(Special Photo)

There’s a line Eli Skoczylas crosses every time he steps out on stage, but nobody else can see it.

“Before a show, I’m thinking a lot, and there’s a bit of stress,” said Skoczylas, a performance artist who plays the main character in Cirque du Soleil’s production of “Kurios — Cabinet of Curiosities.”

“Once I walk up on that stage and cross that line, I am thinking of nothing else but what I’m doing in that moment.”

Added Skoczylas: “It’s like magic.”

It’s fitting the show he’s starring in — Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production — is brimming with endless enchanted gadgets, all steampunk-inspired and soaked in sepia tones.

The set itself seems to possess a magic all its own, according to General Stage Manager Alan Parry.

“We break a lot of the rules of performance,” Parry said. “We bring artists off stage at times and bring audience members onstage at times, so that really changes the rules and gives you that feeling that anything can happen here.”

According to a news release from the show’s publicity team, the storyline follows the tale of a Seeker who discovers that, in order to “glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes.”

Many of those marvels uncovered throughout the show occur in a larger-than-life curio cabinet, in which “the Seeker is convinced there exists a hidden, invisible world — a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await.”

Throughout this journey, the audience (the venue seats 2,600, with the back row being only 50 feet from the stage) gets treated to aerial cyclists, an “invisible circus,” contortionists and the purported world’s best rola bola performer, who balances on a swinging platform while standing on a series of moving cylinders and planks.

There’s also a 750-pound fiberglass mechanical hand, atop which the contortionists bend and stretch in seemingly impossible coordinated formations.

An event like this brings a whole lot of visitors to town. In total, there are 116 families — many of which with their families in tow — on tour with Cirque du Soleil. The yellow and blue big top housing these world travelers stands 62 feet high.

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Artists practice a scene in Cirque du Soleil’s production of “Kurios — Cabinet of Curiosities” during a recent rehersal in Atlantic Station. (Staff Photo: Jason Braverman)

MORE ONLINE Visit gwinnettdailypost.com for more behind the scenes photos.

It took only six days to completely set up, and event organizers said it will take only two days to tear it down. Setting it up meant there were 65 trucks transporting nearly 2,000 tons of equipment to Atlanta.

Some of the artists — about 60 percent — performing at the Atlantic Station show have been with Cirque du Soleil more than two decades. They originate from 22 different countries.

Skoczylas, a Poland native who plays the role of the Seeker, said he’s thrilled about playing the main role — his first time doing so.

“Finally, I can say after 24 years, I am the main character,” Skoczylas said. “It’s a big challenge.”

He need not worry, however, when he steps over that line only he can see.

The show runs through May 8 under the iconic blue-and-yellow big top at Atlantic Station. To purchase tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/shows.

gwinnettdailypost.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 5C

BY VENUE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

HUDGENS CENTER FOR THE ARTS Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 300, Duluth 770-623-6002 www.thehudgens.org • Through March 26: “Personal Politics: Artist as Witness, Memory Keeper and Social Conscience” exhibit • Through April 23: “Birds in Portrait: Photographs by Joel Conison” INFINITE ENERGY ARENA 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 770-813-7500 www.infiniteenergycenter. com • March 31: An Evening with David Jeremiah: The Stand Up Tour feat. Cece Winans • April 20-24: Disney on Ice presents “Frozen”

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INFINITE ENERGY THEATER 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 770-813-7500 www.infiniteenergycenter. com • March 26: Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents “Friends and Famous Dances Special Sensory Show” • March 27: Planet U Performing Arts presents Bollywood Dhamaka 2016 • April 2: “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” • April 3: 2016 Spring Dance Festival • April 20-24: Disney on Ice presents “Frozen”

LIONHEART THEATRE 10 College St. N.W., Norcross 678-938-8518 www.lionhearttheatre.org • April 23:Shakespeare for Kids Dream Scheme NEW DAWN THEATER Mall Corners, 3650-A Satellite Blvd., Duluth 678-887-5015 www.newdawntheater company.com • April 14-17, April 21-24, April 28 to May 1: New Dawn Production presents “Picnic” NEW LONDON THEATRE 2338 Henry Clower Blvd., Snellville 770-559-1484 www.newlondontheatre.org • Through April 3: Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre presents “Snow White” SYLVIA BEARD THEATRE Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway, Buford 770-945-6762 www.bufordcommunity center.com • April 14 — May 1: “Moonlight and Magnolias” TANNERY ROW ARTIST COLONY 554 W. Main St., Buford 770-856-8145 www.tanneryrowartistcolony. com •Through April 8: Spring Juried Art Exhibit 2016 • April 16 to May 27: Winner’s Circle ATLANTA ATLANTA ALLIANCE THEATRE 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4650 www.alliancetheatre.org • Through April 3: “The Lizard & El Sol” • Through April 17: “Ethel” • April 13 to May 15: “Born

for This: The BeBe Winans Story”

Home Opener!

ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta 404-876-5859 www.atlantabg.org • Through April 10: Orchid Daze • Through April: Atlanta Blooms ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta 404-814-4000 www.atlantahistorycenter.com • April 7: Homeschool Day: Go West CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS 1404 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta 404-873-3391 www.puppet.org • Through April 3: “Galapagos George: The Little Tortoise That Could” • April 2 to May 22: “Beauty and the Beast”

vs

April 14 7:05 pm

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Atlanta 404-659-5437 www.childrensmuseum atlanta.org • Through May 31: Mystery of the Mayan Medallion COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 770-916-2800 www.cobbenergycentre.com • March 31: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE! • April 1-3: Menopause, the Musical FOX THEATRE 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-881-2100 foxtheatre.org • March 29 to April 3: “Kinky Boots” • April 9: Alton Brown • April 16: Jethro Tull • April 19: Behind the Lens • April 20: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Fireworks T-shirT Giveaway PresenTed by: (FirsT 2,500 Fans) 402372-1

AURORA THEATRE 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville 678-226-6222 www.auroratheatre.com • Through April 17: “Into the Woods” • March 26: Aurora Children’s Playhouse “A Musical Tour through Latin America” by Havana Son • April 15 to May 8: “Sotto Voce” • April 16: Aurora Children’s Playhouse “Hola, Y’all” by Bi-Cultural Stories with Children’s Author Carmen Agra Deedy

KUDZU ART ZONE 116 Carlyle St., Norcross 770-840-9844 www.kudzuartzone.org • Through April 14: “First Impressions” exhibit • April 22 - June 2: “After the Rain” and “Lessons I’ve Learned” member exhibit

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GWINNETT

GwinnettBraves.com 678.277.0340

6C • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

‘Greek Wedding 2’ is predictable comfort food My Big Fat Greek MY BIG FAT GREEK Wedding 2 WEDDING 2 (PG-13) ** (PG-13) HHHH

By Michael Clark Movie Critic

Let’s start with the good news …

If you simply adored every little thing about the

first “MBFGW” from 14 years ago, there’s no reason to think you won’t feel the exact same way about the cleverly titled (not) sequel.

Every character with a major speaking role (and one that never talks) is back along with all of the old jokes, mostly innocent Greek stereotypes, loud talking and broad delivery of, well … everything. Subtle it ain’t.

As with the first, “2” is

safe-as-milk comfort food, but this time out it’s not grilled lamb with rosemary, but rather that mystery meattype substance you sometimes find in gyro sandwiches. It kinda sorta tastes the same, and if you’re looking to get your Greek fix on, this will feed your beast.

Returning screenwriter/ female lead Nia Vardalos (as Toula) — likely under mild pressure from the studio —

takes precious few chances with the narrative. On the rare occasion it gets close to edgy — as it turns out, someone in the extended clan is gay — it’s troublesome for about a minute then gleefully embraced.

Given the operative word in the title, there will be nuptials at some point, and this time out its Toula’s wacky parents Gus (Michael Constantine) and Maria (Lainie Kazan). Wouldn’t you know it, the priest back in the old country a half-century ago failed to sign their wedding license, so Gus and Maria technically aren’t married.

Again, Vardalos infuses minimum tension here that quickly dissipates. There’s little doubt how it will all end.

In the original, Toula was trying to get out from under the collective thumbs of her relatives whose love and concern about her future possible life as a spinster resulted in well-intended smothering. This time, it’s Toula and, to a lesser extent, her white bread/milquetoast husband Ian (John Corbett) doing it to their teen daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris).

It’s not about marriage (that would be Gus’ job, and he does it with creepy tones) but rather college. They want her to stay close to home in Chicago, but the headstrong, perpetually embarrassed Paris wants out in a major way.

We know Paris is go-

Toula (Nia Vardalos) and Ian (John Corbett) are back in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.” (Special Photo: Universal Pictures)

ing through her rebellious stage because she’s wearing copious amounts of black eyeliner which, contrasted with her pale skin, makes her look like an extra in a video by The Cure. This is the only subplot that doesn’t find almost-instantaneous convenient closure, but that should not be mistaken for crafty storytelling. Whatever Paris’ choice, we can take comfort in knowing she lands in what would have to be the most expensive dorm room on the planet.

While Vardalos flavors the majority of the characters with slightly different variations on vanilla, she does better with two of the elderly females. Toula’s Aunt Voula (original “Second City” member Andrea Martin) is woven like a thread throughout the story, and the majority of the time she offers sagely advice and tosses in a generally funny comic rejoinder or sarcastic retort.

Even when saying nothing, Martin is a welcomed relief not built on a bed of fluff.

Literally saying nothing

for the duration is Mana YiaYia (Bess Meisler), Toula’s grandmother who provides a de facto silent, pardon-thepun Greek chorus. Communicating only with stilted body movements, Meisler will provide chuckles to anyone who thinks the movie is otherwise devoid of humor.

It’s unlikely that “2” will do anywhere near as well as the first did at the box office ($350+ million worldwide), but it is certainly sure to fare better than the TV spin-off “My Big Fat Greek Life,” which was given a mercy killing after only seven episodes.

If the audience at the preview screening is any kind of indicator (and it usually is), “2” is going to make a lot of people happy. The majority present were women over 25, and they howled with laughter the entire time. This isn’t a movie out to win awards or please the critics; it’s there to provide the target demographic what they want, and that’s exactly what they get.

(Universal)

BY VENUE MUSIC 37 MAIN 37 E. Main St., Buford 678-288-2030 www.buford.37main.com • March 25: Hysteria • March 26: 12OZ Prophets

3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta 404-843-2825 www.thebuckheadtheatre.com • March 25: Vanessa Senior • April 1: Dr. Dog

37 MAIN 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Johns Creek 678-580-2329 www.johnscreek.37main.com • March 25: The Breakfast Club • March 26: Electric Avenue • April 1: Yacht Rock Schooner

CENTER STAGE THEATER 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta 404-885-1365 www.centerstage-atlanta.com • March 26: Reza Sadeghi

40 WATT CLUB 285 W. Washington St., Athens 706-549-7871 www.40watt.com • March 25: Faust • March 26: of Montreal, Pillar Point, Jock Gang ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-733-4900 www.atlantasymphony.org • April 1: America BUCKHEAD THEATRE

EDDIE’S ATTIC 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur 404-377-4976 www.eddiesattic.com • March 25: Chris Cauley, James David Carter and Anderson East • March 26: The Elgin Wells Group, Lily and Madeline • March 27: Takenobu and Mike Farris • March 30: Heather Nova • March 31: Matt Hires, Jenny, Tyler and Angie Aparo • April 1: Kris Allen EVERETT’S MUSIC BARN 4055 Stonecypher Road, Suwanee 678-858-5363

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everettsmusicbarn.net • March 26: Bluegrass Alliance

FOX THEATRE 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta 404-881-2100 foxtheatre.org • March 26: Tyrese and Keyshia Cole THE LOFT 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta 404-885-1365 www.centerstage-atlanta.com/ shows/the-loft/ • March 26: Junior Boys THE MASQUERADE 695 North Ave. N.E., Atlanta 404-577-8178 www.masqueradeatlanta.com • March 25: Norma Jean • March 26: Apothecary, Skizzy Mars, Elaquent • April 1: 21 Savage RED CLAY MUSIC FOUNDRY 3116 Main St., Duluth 678-957-7283 www.eddieowenpresents.com • March 25: Don Henry, Sara Hickman and John Vezner • March 26: Joe Hall Band, Chris Garner and Jeffrey East • Ongoing: Sunday night Songwriters Open Mic RED LIGHT CAFE 553 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta 404-874-7828 redlightcafe.com • March 26: Byrne and Kelly • March 27: Other Brother, Pony Kicks, The Extraordinary Contraptions • March 31: Laura Gibson • April 1: Band of Lovers, Fairshake, The War and Treaty SMITH’S OLDE BAR 1578 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta 404-875-1522 www.smithsoldebar.com • March 25: Myfever, Beach Tiger, Joshua Garmon • March 26: Bird Laww, Slackwater, Modern Front, The Everyday Anthem, The Merky Muttheadz • March 28: Diet December, Bast, Bold Ashes, Famous by February • March 30: Phil Barnes, Corey James Bost, Wes Harllee, Kylie Odetta • March 31: Deadwin, Ashes of Old Ways, Danielle Howle, Jordan Igoe • Ongoing: DJ Sky VARIETY PLAYHOUSE 1099 Euclid Ave., Atlanta 404-521-1786 www.variety-playhouse.com • March 26: Rusted Root • March 31: Baauer • April 1: G Love and Special Sauce Most tickets available through Ticketmaster at 404249-6400 or ticketmaster.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 7C

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movies

‘Allegiant’ film fans

EDITOR’S NOTE: Film Fans features local residents reviewing the movie of the week: “The Divergent Series: Allegiant.” To be a film fan, email features@gwinnettdailypost.com.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE

PASS/FAIL

SEE IT NOW OR WAIT

WHO WILL LIKE THIS...

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Pass: One of the things I liked best in the movie is Tris and Four continued to find their way back to each other despite being pulled apart. I also liked the interaction between Tris and her brother Caleb. You could always count on Peter for comic relief.

Fail: There were parts of the plot that were hard to believe. When Tris, Four and their group head out to go over the wall, they do not appear to take any provisions with them. I would think they would need some provisions of food and water.

Peter played by Miles Teller was very good. I love his comedic relief. He is always switching sides. You would think by now they would no longer trust him. I also enjoyed Four’s performance played by Theo James.

This movie is for science fiction fans.

If you enjoyed “The Hunger Games” or Harry Potter, you will enjoy this movie. If you like to analyze every movie you watch, then you may not enjoy this one as much.

If you enjoy the big screen, you should see this now, but if you have a nice home entertainment center, you may be able to wait for Blu-Ray.

The plot is somewhat slow and dragged out at times. I wonder if they would have not split this part into two movies, if it would not have been better.

Pass: Very good special effects; a movie that’s (reportedly) better than the book it was made from.

Fail: Zero character development for the main players in this third film of the “Divergent” franchise; a weak story line; uninspired acting; except for a couple of battle and fight scenes, the movie really drags.

Jeff Daniels was good as the kindly-on-the-outside David, leader of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare group outside the wall surrounding the future Chicago.

He played his role with a good mix of smarminess and guile, and was the only actor who seemed to really get into his part. Shailene Woodley, who plays the main protagonist Tris, looked pretty bored with the whole thing. None of the other main actors really stood out much, either — even Miles Teller (who did a fine job as the weaselly Peter in the first two movies) has only a small part to play in “Allegiant.”

Fans of dystopian sci-fi flicks like “The Hunger Games” may like “Allegiant,” but only if you’ve seen the first two movies in the series; otherwise, you’ll be lost.

Those who read the “Divergent” books will probably be either disappointed or elated in how “Allegiant” plays out. Much of “Allegiant” was filmed around the Atlanta area, so some of the buildings will look familiar to local viewers.

Wait for the DVD. If you’re sleep-deprived, this will cure what ails you. “Allegiant” is a real snoozer.

I actually liked the first two movies in the series, “Divergent” (2014) and “Insurgent” (2015), having not read the books they were based upon. However, “Allegiant” is a let-down and unfortunately makes the whole “Divergent” film series look like a cheap knockoff of the muchbetter “Hunger Games” flicks. I wish I could say that I can’t wait for the final film, but then I’d be diverging into telling an outright lie.

Pass: The story is consistent with the book it was taken from. The graphics and scenery make the story more interesting and help it to come alive.

There is some fair acting and some good interaction between characters that helped keep me involved.

Fail: It is necessary to see the other installments or to have read the first two books in order to understand who is who, what is really happening and why. Story here is a bit sluggish and stale.

The main character is Tris (Beatrice), played once again by Shailene Woodley, as she has done for all the previous episodes.

She is competent and familiar in her role and represents her character well. Jeff Daniels also does an effective job in his role as Director David.

Any fan of the book collection or the previous films will enjoy this continuation of the story. The acting is fair, and the relationship with the previous episodes is almost seamless.

Again, much of the entire story will be lost without being familiar with the whole story from the beginning of the series.

The special effects and background scenery are worth the price of seeing it on the big screen. Lots of CG to entertain and keep the audience involved, but the story itself could still be somewhat appreciated on video.

An adequate addition to the storyline, with enough here to keep a fan of the franchise involved. A bit slow and not enough to stand on its own, it is another one of the recent multiple chapter movies that create their own sequels. In my opinion, this one plays second fiddle to the other, better made movies like “The Hunger Games” series, but still OK for their fans.

Cheryl Flatt, Lawrenceville

HHHH

Tim Weekley, Suwanee

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Steve Kalberg, Lawrenceville

HHHH Lights, camera,

questions Test your film knowledge with Michael Clark So, you think you’re good at movie trivia? Every week, we give readers the opportunity to flex their movie muscles by answering five trivia questions from our movie critic, Michael Clark.

Congratulations to last week’s winner, Lon Laughman of Lawrenceville.

Here are last week’s questions again and the answers: 1. In what state is Perdition in “Road to Perdition”?

A: California 2. What is the highestgrossing movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock?

A: “Psycho” 3. Name three Steven Spielberg movies set during World War II. A: “Empire of the Sun,” “1941,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Schindler’s List” 4. What role eventually played by Tom Cruise was originally offered to Daniel Day-Lewis?

A: Lestat in “Interview with the Vampire” 5. Name someone who is in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, has received multiple Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and is a

Kennedy Center honoree.

A: Dolly Parton Now, for this week’s questions: 1. Name a movie that won the Best Picture Oscar that was originally rated “X?” 2. What two Steven Spielberg movies were released in the same week in the same year?

3. Name two performers who won acting Oscars for playing the same character.

4. What is the common bond shared by “Deliverance,” “Kalifornia,” “Magic Mike XXL,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Zombieland,” “Selma,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Dirty Grandpa,” “We Are Marshall,” “X-Men: First Class” and installments of “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” franchises?

5. Who is the youngest person to ever win a Golden Globe Award for acting?

The first person (located within the U.S.) to respond with all of the correct answers receives a prize of an item or items (movie T-shirts, hats, posters, etc.). The winner also gets their name published in the next Weekend section. Please email your answers, along with your name, to clarkwriter@ mindspring.com. Include “Gwinnett Daily Post Trivia Contest” in the subject line.

In the event no one answers all of the questions correctly, the person with the most correct answers submitted by 6 p.m. the Monday after the contest is posted will be the winner. Only one winner per household is eligible for each 30-day period.

DISC SPOTLIGHT MICHAEL CLARK

The Manchurian Candidate Blu-ray (PG-13) Movie: HHHH Disc: HHHH

Regarded by many to be the greatest political thriller ever made, “The Manchurian Candidate” is as fresh now as it was when released in 1962. Based on the novel by Richard Condon and directed by John Frankenheimer, it stars Laurence Harvey as Raymond Shaw, a Korean War veteran and former POW who, along with fellow soldier

Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra), was brainwashed by his captors.

As sleeper agents, the two men eventually become involved in an assassination plot that also includes Shaw’s twisted mother Eleanor (Angela Lansbury, who received an Oscar nod).

Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (1.75:1/1080p), audio: English (LPCM mono), subtitles: English.

Special Features Include: • Newly restored 4K print with compressed mono soundtrack • Filmmaker commentary • Appreciation featuring Errol Morris • Two new and one previously

released interviews • Trailer • New cover art — Criterion Collection, $39.95

COMING SOON TO OWN • “The Expanse: Season One” (April 5): Earthlings and Martians try to coexist in this Syfy series; stars include Thomas Jane and Shohreh Aghdashloo. (Not rated)

• “Jackie Robinson” (April 12): The same week it debuts on PBS, Ken Burns’ profile of the baseball and civil-rights icon (voiced in some sequences by Jamie Foxx) comes to home video. (Not rated)

• “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (April 5): The enormously popular fantasy franchise gets another chapter; returnees include Harrison Ford, and Daisy Ridley and John Boyega also star.

(PG-13)

• “The Revenant” (April 19): The recent Oscar winner for best actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and director (Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu) is an early-19th-century frontier survival story. (R)

• “Grace and Frankie: Season One” (April 12): Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin reunite in the Netflix series as women left by their husbands ... for each other. (Not rated)

• “Ride Along 2” (April 26): Kevin Hart and Ice Cube reunite as their characters team with a female cop (Olivia Munn) against a drug dealer.

(PG-13)

NOW SHOWING Recently reviewed films by movie critic Michael Clark now playing in metro area theaters.

• The Bronze (R) — 3 stars Co-written and starring Melissa Rauch (“The Big Bang Theory”) as a former Olympic athlete who is still milking her celebrity status in her small Ohio hometown while making everyone around her miserable. This black comedy

isn’t perfect, but it is fearless.

• The Divergent Series: Allegiant (PG-13) — 1 ½ stars Filmed in and around Atlanta, the third installment in this already-on-life-support dystopian/ teen-lit franchise is by far the worst of the lot and acts as little more than an overlong trailer for the series finale due out next June.

• Hello, My Name Is Doris (R) — 2 ½ stars Sally Field stars as the title character, a loopy New york spinster and hoarder who develops a crush on a male coworker less than half her age.

Even though Doris steals from, catfishes and stalks the man, it’s presented as harmless — which it is not.

• Miracles From Heaven (PG) — 2 stars Jennifer Garner plays the mother of a sick preteen daughter who tries to move mountains to find a cure, all to no avail.

It adheres to the low-risk, white bread blueprint of other Christian-based dramas designed to placate the the faithful masses.

• Knight of Cups (R) — 1 1/2 stars Writer/director Terrence Malick’s seventh film continues his recent string of naval-gazing dreamscape tone poems that look great but are narratively inert. Here Christian Bale plays a Malick surrogate with daddy issues who beds down multiple women.

8C • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

gwinnettdailypost.com

‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’ starts off on the wrong foot overwhelm the gauze-thin plot, with so little of it making any kind of sense — even by low-expectation comic book movie standards.

Having already gone into the Superman back story his origin “Man of Steel” debacle, director Zack Snyder

By Michael Clark (“300,” “The Watchmen”) Movie Critic and his screenwriters wisely don’t bother with duplication The first half of the title of and get right into the meat of this movie is what will draw the story. people in, but it is the last Batman/Bruce Wayne three words that are going (Ben Affleck) is a brooding to have the longest impact. billionaire with a perpetual Even though Superman and five o’clock shadow, and Batman movies have been Superman/Clark Kent (Henry around for decades (or more Cavill) is the clean-shaven than a half-century if you newspaper reporter with the include the two live action Big Boy haircut who is able TV series), this is just the first to escape identification to his of what will likely be dozens alter-ego by simply wearing of DC Comics adaptations eyeglasses. of collective superheroes. If The second best scene in this were a foot race, Marvel the movie has Kent walking would be halfway to the finin on his carefully blocked ish line with DC just a half bathing girlfriend/coworker step out of the starting gate.

Lois Lane (the always hot and Containing about the same smart Amy Adams) as they number of core characters share what has to be the most (roughly more than half a suggestively erotic scene in dozen), all of the future DC any PG-13 comic book movie and Marvel films are virtually since perhaps ever. guaranteed to make oceans Not showing any resemof profit and, truth be told, blance whatsoever physically will probably be in producor otherwise to the previous tion when your grandchildren versions of principal Superare grandparents. They are man foil Lex Luthor is Jesse the closest to a sure thing of Eisenberg. Far more unbalanything in the industry. anced and hippie/leftist/idealThat said, “BvS” starts its ist than his folicly-challenged marathon franchise journey predecessor Gene Hackman, on the wrong foot. After Eisenberg’s Luthor is a sports springing from the blocks shoe/pastel suit wearing ver(the opening title sequence) sion of Luthor that optimally with the best “death of Bruce balances the wing-nut villain Wayne’s parents” depiction qualities of the character ever, it switches over to auto- with the not-so obvious pilot and begins its exhaustcalculating aspects — its ing 153 minute trek where Eisenberg’s spot-on rendering the CGI action sequences of Facebook founder Mark

Batman v.

Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13) HHHH

Clash of titans

Ben Affleck stars as Batman and Henry Cavill stars as Superman in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” (Special Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Zuckerberg in “The Social Network” mixed with Hackman’s minor-lethal Luthor with some Charles Manson/ Helter Skelter tossed in for good measure.

Present for the duration but only going full super-hero mode in the last half-hour is former Israeli model Gal Gadot as Diana Price/Wonder Woman. Catching Wayne’s eye as a possible paramour early on, Diana remains appropriately mysterious and elusive. Even when considering her mostly rote CGI-heavy performance here, Gadot could easily emerge as

the most significant and lucrative character in the future DC stable. It’s worth noting Gadot also had a reoccurring role in the “Fast & Furious” franchise.

Not interesting but worth noting is an early exchange where Price and Wayne are at party hosted by Luthor where Wayne downloads something from a computer bank and she walks away with the hard drive. On it are Luthor’s plans for global domination and general chaos but, more importantly, glimpses into what will be in other movies.

Serving as little more than

a coming attractions reel, we see establishing footage of Aquaman, the Flash and Cyborg, which will whet the appetites of fanboys the world over already gearing up for next year’s “The Justice League Part One.” Nobody expected “BvS” to be a short, CGI-sparse laugh riot, but it seems like it went out of its way to be a dour, self-serious, trudging slog with cacophonous visuals and such bone-jarring sound.

In other words, it’s following Marvel’s lead almost to the letter.

What Disney (Mar-

vel) and Warner Brothers (Justice League) need to do is take a look again at Fox’s “Deadpool.” It’s funny, selfdeprecating, action-packed, clocked in at less than two hours and — from an ROI perspective — is the most profitable comic book movie ever made. After spending a full month at No.1 it’s still in the top five. That’s staying power and proof positive that these kinds of movies can — if done right — carry appeal beyond families and guys still living in their mom’s basement.

(Warner Bros.)

‘Eye in the Sky’ a look at Obama-era military rules that fighting fire with fire was not an option and we must instead use metaphorical squirt guns and follow rigid, largely ineffectual political correctness. So skittish are leaders of the free world,

By Michael Clark they won’t even identify the Movie Critic enemy as what they really Beginning at about the are: radical Muslim-based same time Barack Obama terrorists. Only last week did became president, the rules the Obama administration of engagement for the U.S. finally cave in a tiny bit by at Armed Forces and many of least calling this mission of its allies in the war on terror these radical Muslims what became more stringent and it is: genocide. transparent. For civilians and “Eye in the Sky” is a elected officials, this was thriller about a combined mostly a good thing. It’s OK mission between U.S. and to kill the people trying to English armies that are kill us just as long as we’re trying to capture a Britishat a disadvantage while doborn woman who has sworn ing so. For troops, their lead- allegiance to a terrorist ers and intelligence groups, organization whose name is this new namby-pamby never uttered but is heavily wave of kinder, gentler war- implied to be ISIS and is a fare made winning beyond fictional scenario that could difficult, if not impossible. be all too real.

The new rules saw to it English Col. Katherine

Eye In The Sky (PG-13) HHHH

the ability – moral, legal or otherwise – to do what Watts does at the beginning of the From left, Danthird act. He does something iel Fox plays that someone of his rank and Tom Bellamy, pay grade would not be alIain Glen plays lowed to do and it throws the JAmes Willett streaming-along thriller into and Jessica a questionable morality play Jones plays territory. Some will like this Kate Barnes wrinkle. Others (film purists in “Eye in the and/or those familiar with Sky.” (Special Photo: Bleecker military protocol) will not.

Street) South African director Gavin Hood (“Tsotsi,” “Ender’s Game”) — who also has a bit role as a U.S. officer — totally Powell (Helen Mirren) has male traitors, one American, more plot yet to be unravnails the technical aspects. been tracking this woman one British. Powell correctly eled.

The exteriors (shot in his for the better part of three wishes to change the misOnce Powell voices her homeland) perfectly capture years, and on this day it is sion directive to taking the firm and forceful opinion, decided she will be captured, woman and the bombers out the three civilian politicians the parched squalor of the not killed. Things change with prejudice. and Lt. General Frank Ben- Kenyan setting and the posh U.K. interiors are approa lot when it is learned that If you think you might son (the late Alan Rickman the woman isn’t attending a have been given too much in his last on-screen perfor- priately claustrophobic and high-level meeting but rather plot detail at this point, you mance) watching everything detached. In many ways, “Eye” is stylistically and initializing a pair of suicide have not. It’s less than a half- on computer screens in a thematically akin to Stanley bombing missions being hour into a 102 minute-long sterile boardroom begin Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove.” carried out by two young film and there is so much playing political football.

Kubrick and co-writer The civilians are adamantly Terry Southern initially enviopposed to the kill option sioned “Dr. Strangelove” while Benson remains (based on the Peter George guardedly non-committal.

As things progress more, novel “Red Alert”) as a straight forward dramatic the civilians weigh in with thriller, but given the paraall of them tossing the hot noid mindset at the time and potato up the ladder, as the overall folly of war, they none of them want to get their hands dirty or put their decided instead to make it a political futures at risk. Also satire. That was one of the best choices in the history involved are a pair of U.S. soldiers stationed in Nevada of cinema. Keep in mind “Dr. Strangelove” was made who may or may not have during the peak of the Cold to push the button that will War. result in the certain deaths Although Gavin and evof multiple people. One of them — Steve Watts (Aaron eryone else involved would like to think they’re being Paul) — plays a character similar to the one played by impartial regarding the tone and ultimate outcome of the Ethan Hawke in last year’s story, what is shown during similar, highly-underrated, better-executed “Good Kill.” the closing credits makes it clear they had an agenda and Exactly why everyone is thrown into this teeth-gnash- it is not apolitical in nature.

War is ugly and tragic ing, white-knuckle tizzy is and has no ideal avenue to the crux of the main plot. conclusion. Two great miliIf you wish to find out the major plot-revealing spoiler tary minds have offered the least costly paths to finality. which will totally ruin One was General William T. your viewing experience, Sherman, a Union general a simple Google search in the Civil War. The other will provide you with your was Sun Tzu, the attributed answer(s). writer of “The Art of War” The first major chink in (circa 5th century B.C.). BeGuy Hibbert’s screenplay fore you pass judgment on comes with doubt on the hawks, familiarize yourself part of Watts regarding the with the modus operandi of carrying out of his misthese two men. sion. In the real world, few (Bleecker Street) U.S. soldiers would have

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 • 9C

gwinnettdailypost.com

‘Remember’ a faltering attempt at paying homage to Holocaust Remember (R) HHHH

Remember (R) 2 1/2 out of 4 stars

By Michael Clark

Movie Critic

tin Landau) about a plan they have been discussing for a while. Max speaks to Zev in calm, deliberate, short sentences, ostensibly because Zev is in the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Even though Max gives Zev a letter with detailed instructions of the plan for reference, Zev — like that of the Guy Pearce character in “Memento” — writes “read letter” on his wrist. He can’t remember anything.

It won’t ruin your viewing experience to reveal Zev’s mission here. It was a common practice for Nazi soldiers to escape Germany after the war by stealing the identities of dead Jews — an early precursor to electronic identity theft. With cash from Max, Zev hits the road via bus to find four men living in multiple states and Canada with the same name — Rudy

Kurlander — to determine which one murdered both of their families at Auschwitz and then kill the guilty party. Before getting on the bus, Zev purchases a Glock 19 handgun at a local store and stashes it in his shaving kit.

From this point on, the screenplay by first-time screenwriter Benjamin August includes plot holes large enough to drive through with an 18-wheeler. Zev does things no man his age with Alzheimer’s could pull off — and worse things that would draw the attention of even the most clueless law enforcement officers. Yet Zev moves about like a man walking between the raindrops.

For the Egyptian-born Canadian director Atom Egoyen, “Remember” is the just latest in a

string of misfire projects over the past 15 or so years. Showing immense promise with “Exotica,” “Felicia’s Journey” and “The Sweet Hereafter” in the 1990s, Egoyen was at the time being (rightfully) compared to Scorcese, Kubrick and Spielberg but seems to have lost his mojo. The trashy, sexcrime thriller “Chloe” from 2009 showed flickers of inspiration but even its devoted cult fans consider it a minor B-film.

Getting back to the twist.

Many people are going to think “Remember” is better than it is because the twist at the end is so jarring and unexpected.

Admittedly, it goes far in making up for a whole lot of wasted time getting to it, but the filmmakers do it by cheating. Even the most basic, elementary thrillers drop a clue

or two along the way to provide the audience with some inkling of what might be coming, but that never happens here.

“Remember” is indeed an anomaly. Most political/historical thrillers fail because they provide great setups and bail at the end. They promise too much. “Remember” does the exact opposite.

What someone needs to do is to take the last minute of this movie and come up with an entirely new story. Don’t have a frail, intellectually diminished man crisscross the country under trying circumstances with the directive of committing a major felony. Don’t ignore common sense.

Write a story that doesn’t insult the audience’s intelligence and be extra careful if you’re trying to tie it into the Holocaust.

(A24)

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Package includes round-trip air transportation for two from Atlanta to Fort Walton, FL, Three nights’ accommodations at ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals (checking in on Friday, April 29, 2016, checking out on Monday, May 2, 2016), ticket package to the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and a four-day rental car!

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Rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 21 years old or older to enter. Sponsors and their families are not eligible. All entries must be completely filled out to be eligible. Trip winner is responsible for any and all taxes and/or liabilities associated with the value of the trip package which is estimated at $3,060 and which must be claimed as income in the 2016 tax year. The Gwinnett Daily Post is required by law to furnish a federal form 1099 to the Internal revenue Service and this form will state the $3,060 value of the trip package. Winner’s acceptance of prize also grants permission to publish the winning entry information in future Gwinnett Daily Post publications. Once winner is notified, they have three days to accept the trip. If confirmation of acceptance is not made, a new winner will be drawn. Winner must be able to take the trip during the above dates. If not, another winner will be notified. Grand prize is not exchangeable for other dates or cash value.

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Of all past historical events save for the Passion, World War II in general and the Holocaust in particular seem to provide filmmakers with a virtual unending wellspring of source material. These horrific events should never be forgotten, and keeping them forever fresh on the big screen — especially in an age where recycled this, rebooted that and comic book adaptations reign supreme — is a good idea.

Though set in the present day, “Remember” is all about the Holocaust and the attempt of two

men to extract some metaphorical flesh. As time marches on, the likelihood of finding any more surviving Nazi war criminals dwindles, and that is what makes “Remember” so promising as a concept.

Mixing elements of films from the 1970s (“The Boys from Brazil,” “Marathon Man” and “Harry & Tonto”), “Remember” includes a throttling performance from lead Christopher Plummer and a mindbending final plot twist.

But as a full movie, it is only half-realized. Too much of it makes no sense and moreover could be perceived by a few Holocaust survivors as something of an insult.

Not quite a week after the death of his wife, Zev (Plummer) is reminded by fellow assisted living home resident Max (Mar-

10C • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

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‘Rush Hour’ films inspire CBS series

By Jay Bobbin Your TV Link

‘Supergirl’ meets ‘The Flash’

Grant Gustin brings The Flash to Melissa Benoist’s show in a crossover episode of “Supergirl” on Monday on CBS. (Special Photo: Your TV Link)

Heroes to cross series, network boundaries

By Jay Bobbin

been playing on “Supergirl,” and Brit Morgan).

In making the crossIf merging two series over happen, it hasn’t hurt across networks seems that the two shows share like a superhuman feat, a executive producers. One couple of shows ideal for of them, Andrew Kreisthat challenge have met it. berg, wrote the script with Monday’s new episode Michael Grassi — with of CBS’ “Supergirl” fellow executive producer also involves the title Greg Berlanti devising the character of The CW’s story. “It’s so much fun Tuesday adventure “The to see those two characFlash.” The powerful, DC ters together,” Kreisberg Comics-based alter egos says. “It’s that same giddy of Kara Danvers (played feeling you got when you

by Melissa Benoist) and were a kid and you opened Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) a comic book, and on the team up in a story that last ‘splash’ page of a Batpits them against villainman comic, Green Lantern nesses Silver Banshee showed up. and Livewire (Italia Ricci, “Melissa and Grant as the evil alias of the are both such easygoing, Siobhan Smythe role she’s happy, positive hard-work-

Your TV Link

ing No. 1’s on the call sheet,” adds Kreisberg, “to watch them work together and have fun and get such a kick out of it, it was a really special few weeks for everybody.”

Big production values have to be expected from a meeting of two supericons, and Kreisberg admits, “We saved our shekels for this one. We took a little bit out of every (episode budget) surrounding it so we could really go to town on this. It feels huge; it feels epic. We shot in the desert, we shot in downtown L.A., and it’s been a blast.”

With The CW’s “Arrow” and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” also under

the same shingle, the producers rarely if ever have a moment that’s less than busy … so they’re grateful for all the relationships that facilitated the “Supergirl”/“The Flash” crossover.

Kreisberg reflects, “Because it was The CW and CBS (which share ownerships), and because both shows are produced by Warner Bros. Television — which owns The CW with CBS — it wasn’t quite as tricky as it might have been, had we been trying to cross over with a show that was on Fox or NBC. “At the end of the day, everybody was as excited by the prospect of this as we were.”

If a movie franchise is popular enough, it still can yield a television series spinoff some years later.

Shows based on “Lethal Weapon” and “The Exorcist” are in the works, and another example is about to debut. Nine years after the last of the three actioncomedy films that teamed Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, CBS’ version of “Rush Hour” will premiere Thursday.

Justin Hires succeeds Tucker as self-styled Los Angeles police detective Carter, whose manner immediately clashes with that of his new partner: martialarts-skilled Lee (Jon Foo), who arrives in the City of Angels to probe his sister’s presumed death.

The duo get other missions assigned by their no-nonsense boss (“Hot in Cleveland” and “Just Shoot Me!” alum Wendie Malick), and they receive help along the way from Carter’s former partner (Aimee Garcia, “Dexter”) and streetwise cousin (Page Kennedy, “Backstrom”).

With TV veterans Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs,” “Spin City”) and Steve Franks (“Psych”) among the show’s executive producers, other “Rush Hour” stars certainly include the stunt players, since the first hour alone indicates there’s plenty for them to do.

“It is risky dice to roll,” Lawrence allows, “because if it’s an iconic movie that people like, you can’t knock fans off of it, but I think what you hope is that a title brings people to check out your show and give it a look. And I still want to believe that if you cast it well and write it well

Justin Hires stars in the series version of “Rush Hour,” premiering Thursday on CBS. (Special Photo: Your TV Link)

and act it well and produce it well, the people will stay long after the references to the feature (films) are gone.”

Franks adds of the main “Rush Hour” characters and actors, “I like the humanity that these guys bring to this world. I love the guys. I think it’s real fun.

For eight years on ‘Psych,’ we were doing a version of the buddy comedy, kind of. Here’s these two guys that were just sort of meant to be together, and this felt like a fun extension of that.

And I’ve never laughed so hard as hanging out with these guys.”

Foo comes by his physical agility naturally, since he explains, “I started out as a martial artist working in the circus. I did performances with the London Chinese Acrobats and the Flying Dudes Rock and Roll Circus and then went to Hong Kong and Asia and Thailand, so I started with martial arts and then ended up doing action movies.” If viewers aren’t familiar with Foo, though, he understands. “This is my first TV show,” he notes. “This is my first time having any kind of experience like this.”