CHATT HILLS News ~ January 2022 by City of Chattahoochee Hills

Official Publication of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, GA

CHATT HILLS NEWS

Issue 1 Volume 3 www.chatthillsga.us

JANUARY 2022

Features

Events

Arts in Chatt Hills

City Government

Our Community Page 2

What’s Happening Locally? Page 9

Local Artists Page 12

Stay Informed Page 17

Happy New Year 2022!

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Happy New Year! The past year has been a busy one in Chattahoochee Hills. As a City, we’ve done a lot of work to help the community with COVID. The partnership that Fire Chief Brett created with YourTown Health and the City of Palmetto has given our two towns the best access to testing and vaccinations of the entire region, making shorter waits and more access what we’ve luckily become used to. Our Chief also continues to work for better ambulance response from Grady, as well as other important regional public safety initiatives. Darold Wendlandt and his crew have done an amazing job of keeping our roads in good shape: the gravel roads and rights-of-way have never looked better, our parks are the best in the region, and we’ve managed to patch many miles of our worst-paved roads and added a great deal of much-needed road striping. Police Chief Jim Little and the Police Department continue to focus on unsafe driving and riding on our roads, keeping through-trucks off of roads they are not supposed to be on and maintaining real community policing. Our crime rates are the lowest in the region, and we’re working hard to keep them that way. Mike Morton and our Planning Team have been incredibly busy responding to a much higher volume of activity; the City Manager highlights some of that elsewhere in this month’s edition. We’re working hard to make sure that any new developments follow our zoning, minimizing impact while maximizing tax revenues and the preservation of our rural way of life and landscape, as much as possible. The inexorable creep of warehouses encroaching on our borders shows how important this work is, so thank goodness we’ve been able to stay ahead of it! Robbie and Dana and their team have continued to tightly manage our tiny little budget—we are by far the most efficient town anywhere around, with amazing staff, and we get so much done—always within our means. I’m also very grateful to our wonderful City Council. Ruby Foster has done an amazing job of putting together wonderful community events; Laurie Searle’s barn quilt project has engaged many in our community; and Camille Lowe’s work with Coco’s Cupboard as made life better for the many strays that we always seem to have in Chatt Hills. I’ve been busy, too: working on getting money to activate our new River Park, working with developers to align their plans with our requirements; supporting our neighboring 2

cities as they (at least some of them) try to improve their development vision; and working on new preservation opportunities in town, among many other things. MAYOR TOM REED And as always, our volunteers, from all of the commissions engaging thoughtfully to advise the Council on their areas of expertise (and often chipping in to do the physical work, as, for example, Roland Alston so often does); to the volunteer groups like Community Brickworks, who provide so much support to so many; to the arts and music groups whose volunteers entertain us; to the church communities who do so much outreach—our City was founded by volunteers and folks who are willing to “go the extra mile.” I’ll plan on highlighting some of these areas with more specificity in the coming year! As we move into the New Year, I'm reminded of how unusual the past couple of years have been. The unsureness around COVID has made a mess of folks’ plans again and again this year. I know that for many of us positive test results from family and friends have had an unfortunate impact on holiday plans, with visits cancelled and plans changed. This is the second holiday season in a row that is true, since last year, too, was marked by a surge in cases and changed plans (and the deaths of several friends in the community). I don't want to belabor the point, for none of this is news to anyone, but I do hope that everyone managed to find hope and joy in their Christmas and the Holidays, and that the New Year brings joy to you and your families. Please do what you can to stay safe and well; Omicron is contagious enough that it’ll be hard to miss, but being vaccinated and boosted is proven to reduce the worst of the possible health risks by over 90%, and masks in public settings definitely reduce the chance of transmission. Regardless of whether you’re personally concerned, do what you can to protect your neighbors and families. And as you cast about for your New Year’s Resolutions, if you’re so inclined, give a little thought to what you can do to help your City! (And let me know directly—I will happily help you find a way to make that good work happen!) Happy New Year! ~ Mayor Tom Reed

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Changing the Narrative: Logistics, arts and quality-of-life amenities By Laurie Searle with excerpt from Jennifer Hafer from Georgia Trend Magazine I found this article interesting because Mayor Reed has often commented on the collective work of the South Fulton County cities to change the narrative, from one of having negative connotations of being on the wrong side of town, to one where the cities are working together to create something better. However, as much as all of that sounds good, what resonates in the article (at least to me) is our South Fulton County cities are heavy on the distribution and fulfillment centers – aka kinder-gentler terms for “warehouses.” Each of the eight cities featured in the article focused on its highlights, which also include livable communities, parks, and retail. They all pretty much read like carbon copies until the article’s end when Chattahoochee Hills is featured. I had wondered what we could say that would be comparable to the other cities, and I was delight to read, not much. I’ll repeat our part of the story here for residents who read this newsletter on their phone, and will include a PDF of the entire story as an attachment.

somewhere.” The mayor lives in Serenbe, a 1,000-acre tract of land, only 300 acres of which will ever be developed. The community consists of homes, restaurants, and businesses, including “a great wine store.” There is a community-supported agriculture program, and of course, a local farmers market. “The best kind of economic development is mixed-use, town center-style, and it also creates the best quality of life,” he says. “We will end up with thousands of acres of public parks and thousands of acres of working farms with little towns nestled in the valley. Georgia Trend Magazine – December 2021 - https://www.georgiatrend.com/

Georgia Trend – December edition - https://bit.ly/30qAbm7 Protecting Land – page 74 With residents across South Fulton County asking city leaders to make their communities more live-, work –, and play-friendly, there is a community nestled in the southwestern corner of Fulton County where that is the only way of life. “Our zoning permanently protects 70% of our land mass as forest, field, farm, and park basically,” says Chattahoochee Hills Mayor Tom Reed. “With some very limited exceptions, the only kind of development we allow is mixed-use, walkable, town center-style development.” Reed says his town looks and feels a lot like Alpharetta did in 1970, which is to say there’s not much there. But where urban sprawl has consumed what was once farmland and corner convenience stores have replaced churches, Chattahoochee Hills and its 40,000 acres is “mostly nature with development, not development that keeps a park CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Snakes vs. Lizards

By Joanne Wasdin

Bear Creek Nature Center is home to a diverse group of animal ambassadors, including multiple species of snakes and lizards. When new visitors meet and interact with our residents, curiosity is piqued when they spy the strange, burrowing creature named Gorbi as he erupts out of his tunnel. Gorbi is a European legless lizard—yes, a legless lizard—leading to the following questions: “How is he a lizard?” And, when compared to his rat snake neighbor, “Why is he a lizard and not a snake?” While individuals of Gorbi’s species may not be spotted in the wild on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, the southeastern United States is still home to a diverse array of snakes and lizards. And, yes, we are home to legless lizards also. Legless lizards are sometimes referred to as “glass lizards.” The southeastern US is home to about four species of these unique creatures. But how can we know if it is a lizard or a snake if it doesn’t have any legs? Here are a few quick tips on how you can tell a snake from a lizard, with some of Bear Creek Nature Center’s animal ambassadors featured to help us learn along the way. HOW TO EAT When observing dinner time, you’ll notice a stark difference. A lizard must chomp its food. A lizard’s jaw is hinged, which means it makes an up-and-down motion, just like a clothespin opens and closes. Snap, snap! However, observe snakes and you’ll see their unique adaptation to unhinge their bottom jaw from their top jaw. This makes snakes able to swallow prey larger than the size of their head. Many times snakes will oscillate (alternate between one side 4

You will not win a staring contest with Echo, our resident California Kingsnake. She, like most snakes, does not blink!

Kasper, our resident Bearded Dragon, has larger ears making him attractive to incoming visitors.

of the jaw then the next) to rock back their prey in waves to move their food through their jaw. If you want to see just how uniquely a snake eats, check out this video of our resident rat snake eating! https://www.instagram.com/p/ CXW95nPL0zw/

WE NEED EACH OTHER While lizards and snakes may sense through their environments differently, they are both pivotal parts of their ecosystem. Healthy habitats in forest and grassland regions, with adequate water and prey sources, allow these animals to flourish. Many lizards and snakes are also indicator species, which means that they provide some of the first clues about the overall health of an ecosystem. Understanding their unique adaptations can help us to better understand their environment (which is also our home) and how humans and lizards and snakes can live sustainably in our habitats together. If you want to learn more about Bear Creek Nature Center, visit us at bearcreeknaturecenter.org. We focus on conservation, education, and community development, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in nature. We are home to a variety of rescued and rehabilitated native and exotic animals. Follow us @bearcreekATL on Facebook and Instagram to get some behind-thescenes looks at our animals and the work we are doing.

HOW TO LISTEN Lizards have external ear openings. Their ears come in all shapes and sizes, but each lizard has holes on the side of their faces that help them to receive soundwaves. Snakes, however, do not have external ear structures. They have structures that are similar to inner ear structures, but they remain internal near their jaw. Thus, snakes must rely on other senses (like taste or smell) more acutely when interacting with their environment. HOW TO SEE If you wish to have a staring contest with one of our animal ambassadors, we recommend choosing a lizard. Lizards have eyelids, which means that they blink, and that you have a chance at winning that staring contest. Snakes do not have eyelids. They are very good at paying attention. They do not blink. There are many more differences between lizards and snakes, but these are a helpful starter pack when attempting to identify them.

Bear Creek Nature Center 6300 Cochran Mill Rd; Chatt Hills, www.bearcreeknaturecenter.org

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY

Jill & Lee Webb pose with their barn quilt inspired by a Native American pattern.

Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail at The Webb Family Farm By Laurie Searle

“Squash Blossom” hosted by Lee & Jill Webb, 7980 Campbellton Redwine Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268. For map of the Barn Quilt Trail visit: www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com Southwestern Dreams Lee and Jill Webb were looking for a rustic home with a bit of land when they discovered a log cabin for sale on the southwestern side of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. The couple purchased their dream house in 1999 and made themselves at home, decorating their cabin with treasures they collected on their many visits to the Southwest. When selecting a pattern for their barn quilt, Lee & Jill were drawn to the squash blossom design for its Native American colors. The squash blossom was used as an important cultural symbol and artistic motif for many Native American tribes and is

still widely used today. Home, home on the range Lee and Jill both grew up in small towns southwest of metro Atlanta: Lee hails from Carrollton and Jill hails from Palmetto. They met as students at the University of Georgia while pursuing degrees in animal science. After they married, they began searching for a place to call their home. The couple wanted enough land to garden and raise animals in a country setting that was about equal visiting distance to their families. When they started searching for property, Chattahoochee Hills was still an unincorporated rural area in Fulton County, the largest county in Georgia. A relative suggested they look there after seeing a log cabin for sale. The rural nature of the area very much appealed to them. As they drove the country roads in Chatt Hills scouting for the cabin, they loved seeing the open pastures dotting the countryside, some with row crops, others with cattle, horses, and goats. Modest farm homes set close to the

roads had been built near crossroads communities where early settlers first lived. Further out, they caught glimpses of more homes tucked behind the tree-lined roads. They began imagining their life in this small community: raising horses and maybe a goat or two; tending a garden with vegetables and plenty of flowers; Lee establishing a veterinary practice in a nearby town; Jill working close enough for lunch dates. Nearing the address of their destination, they slowed at a break in the trees and caught a glimpse of the log cabin in the distance. When they pulled off the paved road onto the winding gravel driveway for a better look, they knew they had found their home. To view Lee & Jill's barn quilt, they invite you to pull into their driveway and park at their property's gate while taking a photo. To read their heritage story, visit: https://www. chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/webb-family-farm.html

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Local Resident Offers Special Pricing in Hammerstein Highland House ~ Jamaica Looking for luxurious pampering? Highland House is a spectacular culmination of refined beauty, artistic influence, and modern luxury for a family or business get-away. Accommodations If you like old-fashioned tropical glamour with a view almost as good as that of the opening sequence of the Sound of Music, then Hammerstein Highland House is for you. Built in the 1950s by Oscar Hammerstein, the lyric and book writing partner of Richard Rodgers, and maintained by current American owners, Highland House has the timeless classy vibe of a place trying just hard enough. The décor is largely white with splashes of bold pastels that bring Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler to mind - without the pretense. The staff is sublime, quiet and efficient; and the fresh locally sourced meals by the chef, with ingredients from the property's organic garden, are full of traditional Jamaican zest. The pool is fresh as a lake, each room generous and unique. The villa is a ten-minute drive up a hill from the bustle of overwrought Montego Bay with its built up beaches and traffic. What a difference a mountain road makes. Yet it's all happily less than a half hour from the airport and the intensely posh Round Hill -for dinner among the excessive and elite. Unique, divine! Nestled in an idyllic mountain setting with mango trees, papaya groves, towering palms, and vivid gardens, the Highland House boasts some of the most astonishing views of Montego Bay. From three stories, a groomed green lawn draws your eye toward the sea. Scenic pathways and secret stairways connect the estate's various environments, which are centered around a marvelous freshwater pool. 6

You would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite from the six Highland House suites. Each offers an en-suite bath, an individual ambiance, and a sitting area for quiet moments alone. The numerous living spaces provide something for everyone. Enjoy a bird's eye view of the sea from the rooftop sundeck. Play card games or take an afternoon nap in one of the many quaint cushioned sitting areas on the terrace and around the pool. For movie time, the main gathering hall features comfortable sofas, high-peaked ceilings, and large plantation doors that invite the scenery and breezes inside. Downstairs you'll find a wet bar, darts, and pool table. From candlelit dinners at dusk on the terrace to formal feasts at the grand roundtable, the Highland House dining areas are as delicious as the cuisine. Breakfast and lunch can be served next to the pool under a canopy of vines and greenery A short walk from the house takes you to the newly added pavilion designed to immerse you in tropical beauty. The wooden screened structure seems one with the landscape and provides a secluded place for yoga, Pilates, ecstatic dance, and even special events. Book by February 15, 2022, you will receive $500.00 discount for weekly rental, (reservation must be fulfilled by July 1, 2022). For more infomation visit http://www. highlandhousejamaica.com call or email Richard Gladson: 470-263-3647, rgladson@rggroupevents.com

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Potential Community Project Images of America: Chattahoochee Hills Heritage Book By Laurie Searle Southeast at Arcadia Publishing – the nation's largest publisher of local history topics – recently contacted me about a potential history project. After visiting the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail website and reading many of the heritage stories that accompanied each barn quilt, the publisher said they thought a history of Chattahoochee Hills would make a strong addition to their catalog. The publisher invited me to submit a proposal for a pictorial heritage book about Chattahoochee Hills in their series, “Images of America.” The book’s format would feature 180-220 historic photos, divided among 3-10 chapters, with written introductions and captions totaling 8,000-18,000 words. I would write the book and work with the community to collect photos, and the publisher would edit, design, publish, and distribute the book. The retail cost of the book would be $23.99 and the author would receive 8% royalties (which I would donate to the city or a staff member for the on-going maintenance of the Chatt Hills History Website). First Step: Gauging Community Interest and Photos Before a proposal can be submitted, the first step is to determine if the community has an interest – and if there are 180-220 photos available that meet the publisher’s requirements. The great news is there are many local amateur historians, residents, and the Old Campbell County Historical Society that have heritage images appropriate for this project. The challenging part is that most of these folks have “copies” of the images; however, the publisher only accepts the following types of images for inclusion in their books: • Original images (an original image is a first-generation photograph taken using film, and developed directly from a negative.) [My Note: You do not need to be the person who took the photo. It can be from your family or personal collection; however, you would need to sign a permission to use form.] • Images developed from glass-plate negatives • Postcards

Photos such as this one of Smith Grocery Store would help illustrate the heritage of Rural Life in Chatt Hills. The Plan Over the next several months, I will contact the local amateur historians and the Old Campbell County Historical Society to invite them to participate and determine the potential number of images they can contribute. During January, information about this potential community project will be communicated to residents via the municipal newsletter (Chatt Hills News), the Chatt Hills History website (www.chatthillshistory.com), and by a postcard mailed to all households in Chatt Hills. In February, a community meeting will be hosted to invite residents to learn more about the project and bring their heritage images. In March, if there is enough community support and images that meet the publisher’s requirement, I’ll submit a proposal. If the proposal is accepted, I’ll get started on the project which is estimated to take 6-12 months. If the proposal is not accepted, or if we do not have enough photos that meet the publisher’s requirement, I’ll consider publishing an online pictorial book on the Chatt Hills History website. For More Information If you would like more information or are interested in contributing images, contact Laurie Searle (770-463-5169) or Lsearle@bellsouth.net.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

OUR COMMUNITY Classic Photography by Jeff Sudmeier Jeff Sudmeier is looking for automotive enthusiasts in Chatt Hills who want to do a photoshoot of their classic car, sports car, vintage truck, hot rod, motorcycle, or honestly, anything out of the ordinary. Jeff does a lightpainting shoot which will take just about an hour, in Chatt Hills. Because he is building a portfolio, Jeff is offering his services pro bono, but donations are welcome. If you like the results, Jeff can arrange to have the photo printed, which is a separate fee. You can view more of his work at: www.jeffsuds.com or email: jeffsudmeier@yahoo.com

Art Room Renovation at City Hall

$50,000 45,000

40,000 Consider making a tax-deductible 35,000 financial contribution to renovate and equip one room in the Chattahoochee 30,000 Hills City Hall building. The completed 25,000 renovation will provide an artistic space 20,000 that will offer a variety of art classes 15,000 and workshops for Chattahoochee Hills 10,000 residents. 5,000 The Chatt Hills Artist Co-op is part0 nering with the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Community Brickworks, The Bridge Group, UWG, and SFI to offer future art classes once the room is renovated and equipped. The CHAC fundraising goal is $50,000; your contribution will allow us to start renovations this month! https://donorbox.org/chattahoochDONATE HERE ee-hills-city-art-room-renovation

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

EVENTS

January 18, 10am-1pm Corinne Galla Oil Painting Class with Cold Wax and Palette Knife in the Paint Space January 15 | 7:30pm Ben Rosenblum Trio

Award-winning jazz pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum has been described as “mature beyond his years,” (Sea of Tranquility), an “impressive talent” (All About Jazz), who “caresses [the music] with the reverence it merits” (Downbeat Magazine). His debut trio album received a four-star review from Downbeat. He was a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall's Stern-Perelman Auditorium and has appeared at prestigious venues throughout the world, including at the Appel Room at Lincoln Center, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Ravinia, Himawari-No-Sato Concert Hall in Yokohama, and the Library of Congress. Rosenblum's second trio album in 2018, River City, was called “richly romantic” and “well-realized” by JAZZIZ Magazine. Most recently, Rosenblum released his third album, Kites and Strings, which is the first to feature him on both piano and accordion alongside his new sextet, the Nebula Project. In 2020, the Nebula Project was voted runner-up for Best New Artist in Jazz Times' Readers' Poll. Jordan's Ridge, 8400 Atlanta Newnan Rd. Palmetto, 30268 $30 Tickets: https://bit.ly/3lSnWWZ

Come paint in this 3-hour oil painting class, using cold wax and palette knife (which dries your paint quite quickly) class, guided by Corinne Galla. Painting supplies are provided. Participants will go home with a finished painting! The floral scene will be 11 x 14" in size. There will be a mid-class break, so bring a snack; $75, materials included. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3DVEdAn

The Paint Space in Serenbe, 10625 Serenbe Lane, Suite A, Chatt Hills, 30268 (Right next to Hills & Hamlets Bookshop) Call Malinda Lively for other classes 310-902-5358.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

EVENTS

January 23 | 5:30-10:30pm Brian So Trifoliate Award Dinner

$400/person Proceeds from your ticket purchase of the 2021 Trifoliate Award Dinners go to This Postage Stamp of Native Soil, a non-profit oral history project based in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. All ticket costs above $150 per ticket are tax deductible. Chef Brian So is a master of subtlety. His exacting compositions are pure, simple – what some might call “honest” food. Driven by a reverence for high-quality, peak-season ingredients, he doesn’t need to rely on gimmicks, trends, or heavy-handed manipulation. He lets the food speak for itself. The CIA graduate is grounded in French technique, which he further honed during a year staging at acclaimed San Francisco restaurants, including Benu, Quince, and Coi. He returned to Atlanta to join the culinary crew at One-Eared Stag and later helped open Korean-Southern fusion restaurant Sobban in Decatur. So could take his talents anywhere, but the Kennesaw native kept things close to home when he opened his restaurant, Spring, in an old train depot off the historic Marietta Square in 2016. So defies the norm with a New American menu that is strikingly brief. Yet, each dish brings a beautiful balance of flavors, texture, and color – a soft-spoken statement that less can be more. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3yaVBA2

January 11-March 6 2022 Opening Exhibit

Come see the 2022 Opening Exhibit! Gallery hours are Sat. 11-4 and Sun. 1-4. For a private appointment text 818434-5436—happy to open the gallery just for you! In December 14 of the Chatt Hills Co-op artists were filmed by top feature film cinematographer Robert Draper. The artists spoke about the creation of their work. Chatt Hills City Hall provided the room to set up and film in the Auditorium, with local makeup artist Michal Bigger who calmed the nerves prior to filming. Additional footage was filmed at the Paint Space organized by Barry and Adrienne Anbinder, who also art directed the shoot. Stay tuned!

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

February 1 | Registration Starts The Chatt Hills T-ball and Coach Pitch

New Year! New Season! The Chatt Hills T-ball and Coach Pitch registration begins February 1. Ages 3-14. Season will be March 26 - May 21 at Rico Park. Contact Lila Rhyne at jlrhyne@bellsouth.net for more information.

Chatt Hills Charter School

We are excited to announce that @fultoncoschools has renewed our charter for 4 more years!!! We extend our extreme gratitude to all stakeholders who believe in our mission and offer never ending support!! Agriculture… Arts… and the Environment!! The Chatt Way!

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Arts Section

Noah Grigni Independent Residency Nov. 28 - Dec. 5

Laurel Snyder Independent Residency Dec. 1 - 12

Ethan Payne FILMER In residence Dec. 6 - 12

Adán Bean Independent Residency Dec. 12 - 18

Noah is a Boston-based freelance artist and nonbinary trans man whose work explores queer futurism, gender euphoria, and mental health. They illustrate children's books, create comics, design apparel, make art for activist groups, and teach workshops on art and gender identity. No matter what they’re doing, they strive to celebrate trans joy, empower trans kids, and create space for community healing! Noah is the illustrator of It Feels Good To Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn, The Every Body Book by Rachel Simon, and The Gender Identity Workbook For Kids by Kelly Storck. They also illustrate book covers; recent covers include Rolling Warrior by Judy Heumann, Too Bright To See by Kyle Lukoff, The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean, and The Other Animals by Audible.

Laurel Snyder is the author of six novels for children: Orphan Island, Bigger than a Bread Box; Penny Dreadful; Any Which Wall; Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains OR The Search for a Suitable Princess; and Seven Stories Up. She has also written many picture books, including Charlie and Mouse; The Forever Garden; The King of Too Many Things; Swan, the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova; Inside the Slidy Diner; Good night, laila tov; Nosh, Schlep, Schluff; The Longest Night; Camp Wonderful Wild; and Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher. In addition to her books for children, Laurel has written two books of poems, Daphne & Jim: a choose-your-own-adventure biography in verse (Burnside Review Press, 2005) and The Myth of the Simple Machines (No Tell Books, 2007).

Ethan is a photographer and documentary filmmaker living in Atlanta, GA. His work has been featured in Oxford American, ArtsATL, and the Bitter Southerner. His “Soundies” series has heralded acts such as Punch Brothers, Chairlift, and Dr. Dog. He plays music with his band Easter Island and loves telling stories about the forgotten, tossed away south.

Adán Bean is an accomplished spoken word poet, emcee, storyteller, and voice-over talent hailing from the small town of Massillon, OH but has called Atlanta home for over a decade. A 2019 TEDx speaker and 2017 National Poetry Slam song winner, he represented Atlanta on the 2015 and 2017 Java Monkey Slam teams for the National Poetry Slam Competition.

DECEMBER RESIDENCIES - YEAR'S END 11 months have come and gone as we step into December. We are grateful for the artists that have spent time in the cottages in 2021. Before we welcome our residents for December, I wanted to highlight 2021 with a year in numbers: 32 Artists in Residence 583 Residency Days 75% Cottage Occupancy Rate (our highest since 2017 = 79%) 2 Project Residencies (Atlanta River Time & Dad’s Garage) 10 Focus Fellows SFI is grateful for the artists, for the time, for the work. It's been a a wonderful year! Now on to the next one. AIR SFI Programming Director Michael Bettis at michael@airsfi.org.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Arts Section January Selections from Hills & Hamlets Bookshop and Underground Books: Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is a charming neighborhood bookstore in the Serenbe development of Chattahoochee Hills and was founded by the couple behind Underground Books in Carrollton. Hills & Hamlets Bookshop is open Thursdays through Sundays from 11am to 5pm, and we’re open 24/7 online at www.bookshop.org/shop/undergroundbooks and www. bookshop.org/shop/undergroundbooks and info@hillsandhamlets.com. New in Fiction: Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez A blazing talent debuts with the tale of a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her social ambitions, absent mother, and Puerto Rican roots—all in the wake of Hurricane Maria…It's 2017, and Olga and her brother, Pedro “Prieto” Acevedo, are boldfaced names in their hometown of New York. Prieto is a popular congressman representing their gentrifying Latinx neighborhood in Brooklyn, while Olga is the tony wedding planner for Manhattan’s power brokers. Despite their alluring public lives, behind closed doors things are far less rosy. Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, Xochitl Gonzalez’s Olga Dies Dreaming is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife, and the very notion of the American dream—all while asking what it really means to weather a storm. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781250786173 New in Nonfiction: Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown In Atlas of the Heart, five-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. Brené Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9780399592553 New in Middle Grades: Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jason Griffin Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds and illustrated with 300 pages of art by Jason Griffin. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781534439467

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Arts Section Featured Artist rEN Dillard A feverish passion for understanding the true nature of things has always been the engine behind my work. The Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is where I began painting professionally. With more than 2,800 murals, Philly boasts more impressive large-scale public paintings than any other city in the world. Living and interacting with the people of that community during some of my most impressionable years heavily impacted the style I am known for today. I enjoy using oil paint primarily, although I also dabble in some mixed media. The feeling of maneuvering the thick, pungent colors over a blank canvas is something I enjoy immensely. Using a wide variety of rich colors, I aim to give the viewer a glimpse into the alternate world I see behind my eyes. I am six-foot seven inches tall, so I appreciate working on a large canvas. Working quickly with good music and large brushes is my preference. The focus of my work has always been about communicating ideas that challenge people to be curious about their own internal nature. I would like for people to see themselves in my works. They are as much about you as they are about me. For more information contact rEN Dillard at: http://renswork.com or call: 229-513-7612.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Brandon Murphy

Karin Slaton

GW Harper Gail Foster

Wanda Hughes

Tom Swanston

Renae Walker

Robert Lederman

Eileen Wilson

Morgan Boszilkov

Julie McKinney

Jessica Ashley

Ken Shepard

Greg Blount

Malinda Lively

Judy Walker

Logynn Ferrall

Adrienne Anbinder, Malinda Lively-Arnold, Jessica Ashley, Greg Blount, Morgan Boszilkov, Logynn B Ferrall, GW Harper, Gail Foster, Wanda Hughes, Ann Jackson, Robert Lederman, Julie McKinney, Brandon Murphy, Ken Shepard, Karin Slaton, Tom Swanston, Judy Walker, Renae Walker and Eileen Wilson | 9057 Selborne Lane & Paint Space, 10625 Serenbe Lane Unit A. www.chatthillsgalleryserenbe.com CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Community

OUR CHURCHES Campbellton Baptist Church 8660 Campbellton Fairburn Rd Friendship Baptist Church 6090 Cochran Mill Rd www.friendshipbaptistchatthills.com Interfaith Fellowship at Serenbe www.facebook.com/ groups/1964824926878340/ New Hope United Methodist Church 7875 Atlanta Newnan Rd Providence Baptist Church 6402 Campbellton Redwine Rd www.pbcrico.org

Rico United Methodist Church 6475 Rico Rd Rivertown United Methodist Church 9325 Rivertown Rd Sardis Baptist Church 8400 Sardis Rd www.sardisbaptistch.com

Southern Crescent Unitarian Universalist Fellowship www.facebook.com/SouthernCrescentUUFellowship/ Vernon Grove Baptist Church 8440 Vernon Grove Rd

Southside at Serenbe 10 am in the Oak Room of the Inn at Serenbe, 10950 Hutchenson Ferry Road. If you have questions contact Cathy Gailey at cgailey@remax.net or 404-456-6347.

Memorials William "Billy" Newman IV, July 17, 1958 - Dec. 2, 2021 Billy Newman was a husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was an artist, a Scout leader, a teacher, and an outdoorsman. Billy was happiest outside, hiking or taking the photos that would mesmerize us with his depictions of otherworldly beauty. He loved to be in nature, exploring and connecting with God’s creation. Billy had a deep drive to create. His passion was photography. Anyone who has seen Billy’s artwork knows it is beyond the simple classification of “photography.” He somehow merged reality with magic, and what he produced were depictions of beauty and wonder that the rest of us couldn’t see until he showed us. The world Billy revealed in his photography was the world that Billy really saw. Which explains the look of love Billy always 16

had for everyone in his life. Billy saw the true beauty in all of us, the beauty that we tend to overlook in ourselves. Billy’s art expressed everything he has always wanted to communicate and share, especially where his spoken words tended to fail him. Billy’s strong drive also extended to a love of physical work and perseverance. Hard, challenging, manual work. “Dig through rock-hard soil just to find a thick root, then force yourself through a layer of rock” work, and for Billy, when he would get to that layer of rock, the fun had just begun. He said it was to his great disappointment that he was born too late in the century to lay a railroad or build a dam. He made up for that with marathons, triathalons, and daily work outs. He was so fit that he won the Fear Factor contest at Universal three times, the latest at 59 years old. In contrast to his strength and

tenacity was his gentle, patient and kind spirit. Billy never raised his voice or lost his temper, and only very rarely showed any anger. Billy did not keep score, compare servings, or hold grudges. Maybe this is related to the beauty he could see that others couldn’t – but Billy loved more fully than most and forgive more easily. His patience was nearly endless, as he heroically displayed in the last year of his life battling ALS. In the end, Billy said his greatest gift had been the love he had for the loves of his life: his wife Katie, and his children, William and Rebecca.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

City Government

Robert T. Rokovitz, MPA, ICMA-CM

Chattahoochee Hills 2022 Development Update While there are always new developments and exciting things under way in the City’s first and largest hamlet, Serenbe, there are also some rather significant developments in other parts of the City that have been brought before the Council and/or staff which we anticipate will move forward in the planning and development process during the next year. There have been and will continue to be public input components to each of these developments. For questions about these developments or other development activity, please call 770-463-881 to make an appointment to speak with one of our City Planners. Bear Creek The property is 256.8 acres in 133 parcels that lie north of Wilkerson Mill Road on both sides of Jenkins Road. It is

Bear Creek

zoned RL and has about 2,450 feet of frontage along Wilkerson Mill Road. The property straddles Jenkins Road, with approximately 200 acres and 2900 feet of frontage on the west side of Jenkins and with a little under 60 acres and 1800 feet of frontage on the east side of Jenkins. Most of the property, 252 acres, was the site of a 2007 subdivision under Fulton County, developed under their conservation subdivision rules. That plan included 253 lots in two phases on 63 acres – all of which lay to the west of Jenkins Road – and 189.79 acres of green space on both sides of Jenkins Road. Of the 253 proposed lots, 124 were developed and platted in phase 1, along with about 7,000 feet of internal subdivision streets and associated infrastructure, including stormwater, water, and sewer pipes, power and telecom. Several homes were built, but all have been demolished in

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Pizza Farm the meantime. The 124 lots remain as platted in 2007. The Public Hearing and Action on an Ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map to rezone 256.8 acres from the existing zoning to Chattahoochee Hills’ HMMU (Mixed-Used Hamlet) District and for variances to the required zoning district buffer and to the minimum nonresidential density in the HM-MU (Mixed-Use Hamlet) district – rezoning request and two variance requests from Bear Creek Project One LLC for property located at the corner of Wilkerson Mill Road and Jenkins Road passed the City Council 5-0 on August 3rd, 2021. The Approval of a Concept Plan for Bear Creek Mixed-Use passed 5-0 on August 3rd, 2021. The newly approved zoning memorializ18

es Chattahoochee Hills’ higher preservation requirements in the revised plan and will result in a Chatt Hills hamlet being built on some of the existing infrastructure. We expect initial site work and construction of the first phase to begin in the coming year. Pizza Farm The 66 acres in Chattahoochee Hills is just a portion of a 257.74-acre project, the majority of which lies in the City of Palmetto. The major features of the site are a restaurant, event center, museum, farmer’s market, and about thirty residences, along with the roads and parking required for the range of uses on the site. Much of the site is planned

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Merrell Park to remain undeveloped and will feature nature trails and art displays. The proposed uses for the portion of the project that lies in Chattahoochee Hills are a maintenance barn, an art staging barn, a farm field, several art displays, the lawn of the event center (which itself lies in Palmetto), a nature center, a pavilion, and greenhouses. The plan also shows a secondary entrance road connected to Wilkerson Mill Road in Chattahoochee Hills. The applicant would like to build and operate a 257acre mixed-use “Pizza Farm.” The property is the subject of a pair of applications for Planned Unit Development zoning. Most of the uses proposed for the Chattahoochee Hills portion of the site are allowed by right in the RL (Rural) district. The two uses that require City Council approval are those related to museum display and special events. The proposed art staging barn would provide back-of-house functions for the other museum-like uses in the larger development. Hosting events could also be accommodat-

ed with the proposed Special Use Permit. Event hosting is a use commonly associated with a museum, historical site, or similar institution and zoning section Sec. 35-622 (c) states that “accessory uses for nonresidential development shall include those normally appurtenant to such development.” The approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Palmetto regarding a possible future development (“Pizza Farm”) located partially in Palmetto and partially in Chattahoochee Hills passed 5-0 on October 5th, 2021. Merrell Park A Development of Regional Impact (DRI) Review of a proposal to build a mixed-use community on approximately 1,341 acres in the City of Palmetto has been initiated. The site is generally bisected by Cochran Mill Road and is east of Old Rico/Upper Rico Road, south of

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

been significant change in conditions in the area, e.g., municipal annexation and incorporation, growth and development, programmed projects and plans, etc., such that a current analysis is necessary; therefore, ARC’s determination is that a new DRI review is warranted. This development will not need to come before the City Council of Chattahoochee Hills at this time because it is in Palmetto, although the developer (who also owns property in Chattahoochee Hills) is talking to city leadership about possible improvements to the plan to minimize impacts on Chatt Hills residents.

Farmstead at Piney Woods South Fulton Parkway (SR 70), southwest of Wilkerson Mill Road, and west of Phillips Road – all of which is within the City Limits of Palmetto (even though it extends far into Chattahoochee Hills). The development plan proposes: 4,680 residential units (1,668 single family detached homes, 2,053 townhomes, and 959 multifamily units); 420,000 SF of office space; 180,000 SF of retail space; a 1,000-student elementary school; 60,000 SF of community amenity space; a 30,000-SF police and fire facility; and a 15,000-SF worship center. Roughly 610 acres of the total site area are planned for parks, watershed protection areas, passive recreation areas, and open space. Site access is proposed via approximately 15 entry points distributed around the community, connecting to existing roadways. Local DRI review triggers include a land disturbance permit application and water/sewer connection applications. The expected buildout year is 2029. This site was previously reviewed in 2008 as Foxhall Village DRI #1841. While the new proposed plan is similar, ARC’s assessment is that a) there has been a significant passage of time since the previous review, increasing the likelihood that the views of affected parties on the project may have changed, and b) there has 20

Farmstead at Piney Woods The property is 46.7 acres that lies on the west side of Piney Woods Church Road (gravel) between Rico Road and Hutcheson Ferry Road. It is zoned RL and has about 850 feet of frontage along Piney Woods Church Road and is about 1500 feet deep along its northern boundary and about 2000 feet deep on its south side. Two lots are inset in the subject property. One is a two-acre lot on Piney Woods Church Road owned by the applicant. The other is a six-acre flag lot to the south that also fronts Piney Woods Church Road, but insets into the rear portion of the subject property. The property is mostly clear, with a pond, several tree lines, and several barns and some fencing. It has a hill at the center, with an elevation of about 970 feet, dropping to 940 feet at the road, and below 900 feet along the rear (western) boundary. The low point is around 880 feet near the pond in the northwest corner. To the east across Piney Woods Church Road, lie several single-family homes on wooded two- to four-acre lots. To the south are three four- to seven-acre single-family residential lots that front Hutcheson Ferry Road. To the west are a 1.7-acre lot fronting Hutcheson Ferry Road and an undeveloped 11-acre lot in the Muscogee subdivision. And to the north is a cleared 10.5-acre property with a single-family home. The Public Hearing and Action on an Ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map to rezone 46.709 acres from the RL (Rural) District to the HM-LDR (Low Density Residential Hamlet) District – rezoning request from Farmstead at Piney Woods, LLC for property located on the west side of Piney Woods Church Road, between Rico Road and Hutcheson Ferry Road was passed 5-0 on October 5, 2021. The approval of a Concept Plan for Farmstead at Piney Woods Low Density Residential was passed 5-0 on October 5th, 2021.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

City Government Call to Order All members present. Review and Approval of Agenda Amended as follows: 1. Add Agenda Item 21-081: Consideration of a barn quilt at city hall, including design and location. Passed 5-0 Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 9, 2021 Passed 5-0 Presentations / Proclamations 1. Proclamation honoring William Strong for his accomplishments in the discipline of martial arts. Staff Reports Financial Update: Robbie Rokovitz Fire Department Report: Greg Brett Police Department Report: Jim Little Public Works/Parks Report: Darold Wendlandt Community Development Report: Mike Morton

Action Minutes ~ Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council City of Chatt Hills December 7, 2021 / 6:00 p.m. 5. Item 21-078: Ordinance accepting the revised Personnel Policy Handbook – proposed revision replaces the current vacation and sick time policy with a simple Paid Time Off (PTO) policy for eligible employees as well as establishing an incremental accrual rate that increases with years of service to the City. Passed 4-0 6. Item 21-079: Resolution naming the passive park land behind City Hall as the Town Green at City Hall. Passed 4-0 7. Item 21-080: Resolution adopting the 2022 City Council Meeting Schedule. Passed 4-0 Mayor and Council Comments Executive Session (None) Adjourn Meeting: The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Town Hall Session (None)

Public Hearing (None) Unfinished Business (None) New Business 1. Item 21-081: Consideration of a barn quilt at city hall, including design and location. Died for lack of second. 2. Item 21-075: Consideration of a request from Yumi Sushi, Inc. d/b/a Yumiko that the fees paid for their 2021 Alcohol Beverage License be applied to the 2022 Alcohol Beverage License renewal. Passed 5-0 Councilmember Searle left the meeting at 6:56 p.m. 3. Item 21-076: Resolution authorizing the Georgia State Legislature to create an Act to establish a Convention and Visitors Bureau Authority. Passed 4-0 4. Item 21-077: Ordinance to revise and amend Chapter 4, Alcohol Beverages, Article V, Business Regulations, Sections 4-130(a) & (b), Hours of Operation, to permit Sunday Sales of Malt Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits by the drink and package sales from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. Passed 4-0

Meet Our New First Ever Park Rangers!

Please join me in welcoming our two newest editions to our Police Department staff. Latresse Tidwell and Anna Robinson are our first ever Park Rangers. These positions were approved in the FY2022 Budget. Their role will be to serve as ambassadors, welcoming visitors to our area parks. They are being trained to provide assistance to parkgoers by directing hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and others to where they can park, what trails would be best suited for their experience and expectations, and to make sure park amenities are in working order and more. Latresse and Anna will be easily identifiable wearing soft uniforms with city logos. They have also bene trained in first aid will also have radios to remain in contact with the police and fire department should they need assistance with enforcement and/or medical-related issues.

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Community

BRICKWORKS REPORT

Community Brickworks 6505 Rico Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268, 770-463-6600

Community Brickworks - December Christmas - It has been a very busy December! We paired 90 children and seniors with sponsors this Christmas season. Gifts were given to the families on Dec. 19th and 20th. We completed the outdoor kennel for our Chatt Hills police. They can now keep dogs safe and fed until Coco’s Cupboard is able to pick them up. We continue to help families in need in our community with heating bills, and furnace replacement. We allow families to apply for help once per year. We are thrilled to partner with Southside Church to build an overhang to keep our volunteers dry when loading groceries into cars. Construction will begin later this winter. Thank You - We would like to thank the parents and children of Acton Academy for their help this holiday season. They collected Thanksgiving supplies for us, sent us coats and blankets this December, and have installed a free little library for the children in Chatt Hills. Swing by City Hall and take a book to keep for your children! Acton will continue to supply the little free library with books for your kids! For more information and to make donations, visit our website at: CommunityBrickworks.org

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

City Government

The Community Is Helping Lost Dogs in Chatt Hills! 1. 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime. 2. Call Chatt Hills Police 911 or the police non-emergency number 404-730-7911 to have an Officer dispatched to your location if you find a dog or see a lost dog and can’t locate the owner. 3. Chatt Hills Police have a microchip reader to help reunite dogs with Owners. 4. The City has a partnership with the volunteers at Coco’s Cupboard pet rescue to provide a professional, animal- loving shelter (more like a pet hotel!) until the owner can be located or the dog can be rehomed. 5. City Hall has a new kennel donated by Coco’s and outfitted by Brickworks that allows for a safe, short stay while the owner is located or the dog is triaged at Coco’s Cupboard. 6. Coco’s Cupboard has helped with over 10 lost dogs in our City since September! 7. There is a green “Animal Services” button on the City website home page which provides Lost & Found pet information. 8. Please remember to tag and microchip your pets! Spread the word: call Chatt Hills Police if you find or lose a dog. We want to help get these pets back home! Friendly reminder: Tag and microchip your Pets! Call 911 or the Police non-emergency number 404-730-7911 CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS

Trending Topic

Community & City

City of Chattahoochee Hills, City Hall, 6505 Rico Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, Phone: (770) 463-8881, www.chatthillsga.us

City of Chatt Hills: www.chatthillsga.us Chatt Hills Charter School: http://www.chatthillscharter.org/calendar Community Brickworks: www.communitybrickworks.org Serenbe Community: www.serenbe.com Acton Academy at Serenbe: http://actonacademyatserenbe.com/#ourstory

Event

We will be scheduling Special Called City Council meetings as dictated by circumstances. These will be virtual and open to the public.

City Council Work Session - Thurs., Jan. 6, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

The City will take the following safety precautions: • The City Council room will be set up so that the council and staff are all at least 6’ apart. • Any citizen attendees that want to attend in person will also be separated by at least 6’; capacity will be limited to the number of seats that can fit in the room under those conditions. • The meeting will be streamed live. Check details on the City’s website.

About Chatt Hills News The official newsletter of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Chatt Hills News, is published monthly. This publication is compiled from submissions from the community and is available in public locations around the City, at City Hall, or via email subscriptions. Email Subscriptions: To subscribe via email, visit the City’s Website: www.chatthillsga.us Or subscribe directly at this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/w9cGwxA Print Copies: Residents of Chatt Hills who do not have Internet may request mailed copies by calling City Hall (770) 463-8881.

City Council Meeting - Thurs., Jan. 6, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Planning Comission Meeting - Thurs., Jan. 13, 6:30 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Parks Commission Meeting - Tues., Jan. 18, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 City Council Work Session - Thurs., Jan. 26, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268

Article / Event Submissions: If you have a story, event, or suggestion for future articles, we’d like to hear from you. Please submit your information by the 15th of every month for publication on the 1st of the month to: chatthillsnews@chatthillsga.us

2022 PARKING PASSES NOW AVAILABLE The parking passes for Cochran Mill Park are now available. Visit city hall for your application. The fees are as follows: • Residents – free • Annual car/truck - $25 • Annual 3+ Axels - $35

CHATT HILLS NEWS - JANUARY 2022 - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS