Official Publication of the City of Chattahoochee Hills, GA
CHATT HILLS NEWS
Issue 11 Volume 2 www.chatthillsga.us
NOVEMBER 2021
Features
Events
Arts in Chatt Hills
City Government
Our Community Page 2
What’s Happening Locally? Page 18
Local Artists Page 23
Stay Informed Page 28
SERENBE FALL TRAIL RACE
Photo by J Ashley
VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2! General Election 7:00am-7:00pm at City Hall, 6505 Rico Road For Mayor: Tom Reed (I) District 2: Jett Hattaway, Richie Schmidt (I) District 4: Camille Lowe (I)
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Local Election November 2, 2021 The municipal election for the City of Chattahoochee Hills will be held on November 2, 2021. The polls will be open on election day from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm at City Hall, 6505 Rico Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268.
REFERENDUM TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY COUNCIL TO PERMIT AND REGULATE EXTENDED HOURS OF SUNDAY SALES OF MALT BEVERAGES, WINE, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS
2021 QUALIFIED CANDIDATES: Mayor: Tom Reed (Incumbent)
( (
District 2: Jett Hattaway Richard Schmidt (Incumbent) District 4: Camille Lowe (Incumbent)
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) YES ) NO
Shall the governing authority of the City of Chattahoochee Hills be authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits by the drink from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 Midnight and by the package from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 Midnight?
As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, the City of Chattahoochee Hills does not discriminate on the basis of disability and will assist citizens with special needs, as allowed by law. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-132
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CHATT HILLS HARVEST FESTIVAL
Food, Fun, and Fellowship in our City’s Backyard
By: Laurie Searle The Chatt Hills Community Outreach team rolled out the green carpet for friends and family to enjoy the Harvest Festival at the park behind City Hall on Sat., October 9th. Six months in the making, the team began planning for the event in March by asking the question, “What kind of event would appeal to residents throughout Chatt Hills?” Lessons learned from past events taught them that community connections are important, and friends will come if other friends are there. Community Brickworks Open House With that thought in mind, the team invited Community Brickworks to participate. As luck would have it, the beloved community nonprofit intended to have an open house to showcase its recent remodeling and reorganization of its space at City Hall, so the event team gave the open house top billing. During the festival, residents and guests toured the Brickworks community library, craft space, and foodbank, guided by volunteers who shared the story of their work to support Chatt Hills and the surrounding area. Fulton County Commissioner (Dist. 6) Khadijah Abdur-Rahman was so impressed during the tour, she asked Community Brickworks to make a list of items they needed so she could try and help.
The Harvest Festival was hosted by the Chatt Hills Community Outreach team and sponsored by the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Fulton County, Jett Hattaway, and Troy Bettis. An estimated 250 people attended and supported the event.
City Services Since this was a city-sponsored event, the event team wanted to find some fun ways to introduce residents to a few of the City’s services. Chatt Hills Councilmember (Dist. 1) Ruby Foster, who chaired the team, suggested a TouchA-Truck event and also a booth for Coco’s Cupboard. Chatt Hills Touch-A-Truck Guests had a rare opportunity to visit the gated public works yard behind City Hall. Not knowing what to expect, they were delighted to see a well-kept gravel yard lined with a fleet of spic-and-span large maintenance vehicles, police cars, and fire and rescue vehicles. Chatt Hills Councilmember (Dist. 4) Camille Lowe, who had never visited the public works yard before, couldn’t resist getting behind the wheel of a larger tractor. She said, “I can’t believe our City has all of this. This space back here is so well maintained and every piece of equipment is so clean. You can definitely see the pride of ownership.” Coco’s Cupboard The festival seemed the perfect opportunity to introduce residents to Coco’s Cupboard, a nonprofit humane society that has partnered with Community Brickworks and Chatt Hills to help rehome lost and found dogs in our city. Since no one can resist the sloppy kiss of a dog, Coco’s Cupboard brought along a few of its pups up for adoption and a kissing booth to help them make new friends. Through the City’s new program for lost or found dogs, residents are asked to please call 911 to have an officer
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dispatched to their location. The police will attempt to pick up the dog and scan it for a microchip to see if the owner can be located. If the owner cannot be located, they will contact Coco’s Cupboard, who will provide a safe shelter for the animal until the animal can be rehomed. In Appreciation The City of Chattahoochee Hills and the Community Outreach Team acknowledge and thank the many people who supported this event. Event Committee Ruby Foster, Chair Amber Lightsey Bridget Arrington Camille Lowe Judy Walker Laura Richards Community Brickworks Carla Carrabino Becky Hollis David Breece Elaine Bryant Jane Strickland Jacquie Lawson Kenneth Bryant Lisa Remley Lynda Kozarski Mary Booth Nan Huffmaster Sharon Wall 4
Susan Calderon Sponsors • City of Chattahoochee Hills: Food, entertainment, touch-a-truck, event support • Fulton County: Performance stage • Jett Hattaway: Special guest singer, Isaac Streetman • Troy Bettis: Electrical Vendors • Amy’s Cute Creations of Atlanta, Handmade sock dolls, monkeys & cute critters
• Chattabee Farms, Local Honey & Misc. Collectibles • K &S Crafts, Handmade Woodworking, T-shirts, Home Decor • Fickle Furbabies, Doggie treats • Crafty Sisters, Harvest decor • Coco’s Cupboard, Pet Adoption Food • Southern Reign Hospitality • Kona Ice
Entertainment • Endless Entertainment, Stilt Walker • Entertainment Referral Network Inc. Face Painting • Cake Walk, Camille Lowe & Amber Lightsey • Children's Crafts, Amber Lightsey Music • DJ Samuel Davis • Isaac Streetman, American Idol Season 17 • Gloria Edwards – Local singer • Bill & Neisha Bryant – Local singers
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OUR COMMUNITY For more information about the City’s lost and found pet program, visit the website: www.chatthillsga.us. Food, Entertainment, and Vendors – Friends entertaining Friends Musical entertainment featured a line-up of celebrities, including Season 17 American Idol Isaac Streetman, sponsored by Jett Hattaway; DJ Samuel Davis, and two local musical groups who are followed by their community fan clubs wherever they perform: Bill & Neisha Bryant from Providence Baptist Church, and Gloria Edwards from the Cedar Grove Community. Festival goers enjoyed the children’s activities and craft vendors, many of whom were local, but a few who were not. Vendor Amelia Stevenson, who is based out of McDonough, looked at the many people enjoying each other’s company, the food, and the music, and said, “This is what community is all about.” Both new and old residents shared this sentiment. Having the opportunity to enjoy a community gathering, outside in beautiful Chatt Hills, meeting new friends and visiting with old – it just doesn’t get any better than that!
Elected Officials and Staff (Outside of Chatt Hills) • Mandisha Thomas, Georgia State Representative (Dist. 65) • Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Fulton County Commissioner (Dist. 6) • Robert Kelly, Chief of Staff, Office of Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Fulton County Commissioner (Dist. 6) • Sam Davis, Douglasville City Council (Ward 3, Post 2) • Van Tran, Morrow City Council (Mayor Pro Tem)
Elected Officials, Commissions, and Staff (From Chatt Hills) • Ruby Foster, City Council (Dist. 1) • Richie Schmidt, City Council (Dist. 2) Mayor Pro Tem • Laurie Searle, Council (Dist. 3) • Camille Lowe, City Council (Dist. 4) • Troy Bettis, City Council (Dist. 5) • Roland Alston, Parks Commission • Chip Denton, Parks Commission • Doug Cloud, Planning Commission
From left to right: Firefighter Kevin Jones, Firefighter Gary Reid, Firefighter Keith Kolvig, Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Firefighter Damien Sorrells, Officer Marcy Queen.
• Jett Hattaway, Planning Commission • Scott Lightsey, Planning Commission • Amber Lightsey, Historic Commission • Kim Taylor Cloud Historic Commission • Robbie Rokovitz, City Manager • Dana Wicher, City Clerk • Jim Little, Police Chief and team: - Joseph Wells, Officer - Marcy Queen, Officer • Darold Wendlandt, Public Works & Parks Director (event day) and team: - Shane Harman, (event day) - Jake Bassett, (pre-event)
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- David Healy, (pre-event) - Nathin Wendlandt, (event day) - Shannon Farmer, (pre- event) - Davion Kirk, (event day) - Arnold Gonzales, (pre- event) • Greg Brett, Fire Chief(preevent) and team: - Pat McCarragher, Battalion Chief (pre-event) - Gary Reid, Paramedic/ Firefighter Gary Reid (event day) - Kevin Jones, EMT/ Firefighter (event day) - Keith Kolvig, EMT/ Firefighter (event day) - Damien Sorrels, EMT/ Firefighter (event day) 5
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OUR COMMUNITY Academy WITHiN Announces Key Leadership Appointments Academy WITHiN announced that Dr. Mark P. Becker has been appointed the Executive Chair of the Board of Managers, and Jennifer Herold will serve as Chief Activation Officer. Both appointments are effective immediately. Academy WITHiN's vision is to set the Gold Standard for transformational development and inner leadership. Specializing in Best-Self Leadership, the Academy WITHiN program works in close collaboration with employers to guide cohorts of talented professionals and leaders in developing transformational behaviors, empowering them with the agility, authenticity, and creativity needed to thrive in today’s complex and rapidly changing world. Beginning in 2022, Academy WITHiN will offer three 90-day Foundations courses focused on the micro-skills essential to becoming a Best Self leader. Each foundation course starts with a day of instruction on three micro-skills, followed by 89 days of engaged practice with an Activation Coach to form micro-habits designed to tap into one's powerful inner wisdom and intuitive knowledge. In addition to chairing the board of Academy WITHiN, Dr. Becker remains an Executive in Residence at Georgia State University (GSU), where he previously served as the seventh President. He gained renown during his tenure for his vision, strategic planning, and follow-through. Georgia State's dynamic 10-year strategic plan fueled the university’s emergence as one of the nation's premier urban research universities. Under Chairman Becker’s leadership, the university dramatically improved student outcomes and eliminated disparities in graduation rates based on race, ethnicity, and income; more than doubled the sponsored research funding; and consolidated GSU with the former Georgia Perimeter College to become the largest higher education institution in Georgia. Becker also accelerated GSU’s trajectory through reshaping its Atlanta campus with an ambitious program of campus real estate development, including the purchase and transformation of the former Turner Field into Center Parc Stadium, the new home of the Georgia State Panthers football team. Dr. Becker was named one of America's ten most innovative university presidents by Washington Monthly in 2015. In addition, the university has been consistently ranked one of the most
New signage just went up at the campus of Academy WITHiN! innovative universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and Becker welcomed GSU’s new president with a #2 seat in the recently released 2022 U.S. News rankings. “Academy WITHiN brings together an outstanding team of experienced leaders and leadership coaches to provide the next generation of leaders with an extraordinary opportunity to develop to their full potentials,” Dr. Becker said. “A powerful lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic is that far too many individuals charged with leadership are frozen by ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty when the stakes are high. It is by building ‘muscle’ around key leadership skills that aspiring leaders become their best selves, thereby empowering them and their teams to thrive regardless of circumstances.” As Academy WITHiN’s Chief Activation Officer, Jennifer Herold selects and leads our cadre of Activation Coaches. The coaching cadre guides our students through the 89 days of engaged practice as BestSelf micro-skills become micro-habits. An experienced executive coach, Herold is certified by the International Coaching Federation and is a Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, based on the work of Dr. Brené Brown. She and Pepper Bullock co-authored Academy WITHiN’s Foundation programs to be offered in 2022. “I believe that Mark Becker brings the vision, discipline, and experience to our programming that corporate sponsors want. In addition, he has deep insight into how to increase student engagement and improve learning outcomes,” said Pepper Bullock, an Academy co-founder. Bullock will become Dean of the Academy, giving direction to WITHiN curriculum creators and selecting subject-matter faculty members. Academy WITHiN will offer Foundation Courses at their 10-acre campus at Jordan’s Ridge on Atlanta Newnan Road, adjacent to the Serenbe community in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Visit: https://www.jordansridge.com
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Judy & Joel Crawford pose with their barn quilt.
Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail at the Crawford's Party Barn “Circle Star” Barn Quilt hosted by Judy & Joel Crawford 8105 Piney Woods Church Rd, Chatt Hills, GA. Family and Friends Brighten the Day Judy Crawford and her son Joel live in their family home on a narrow country road in Chattahoochee Hills, GA. With five acres of farmland, the family enjoys the peace and quiet that country living offers. And when it’s time to kick up their heals, there's no need to drive into town; they simply invite family and friends over to enjoy gatherings at their party barn. When selecting a barn quilt for their barn, Judy and Joel were drawn to a brightly colored pattern called "Circle Star." Its multi-colored star points surrounding a bright orange dot seem to symbolize their circle of family and friends who brighten the day when they gather at the party barn. Dressing Up at the Party Barn Judy Crawford and her husband used to love coming to the area that is now Chattahoochee Hills to visit with their
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On June 19, 2007, the Chatt Hills Organizing Committee met at the Crawford’s Party Barn to hear the results of the referendum that created the city of Chattahoochee Hills. old school friend Ray Milam. Back then, Ray owned most of the land on Piney Woods Church Rd, and would invite friends to his lake for country gatherings. When Ray offered to sell them a parcel of land, they purchased 5 acres and built their house in 1996. Three years later, they added a party barn to continue the tradition of country gatherings. The party barn became the "go to" place for social and holiday gatherings and often brought the adult children, Joel, Tammie, and Christie and their families, home for a visit. During Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the party barn often swelled with up to 50 people enjoying each other's fellowship. In the fall, watching football games at the barn offered a type of "country tailgating" with halftime fun spilling out to the large farm yard. Then there was the "no special occasion days" made special by guests dressing up and singing like their favorite rock stars. The party barn holds a lot of memories—and a lot of love—for Judy's family. It also holds a special place in the hearts of the community. To read more about Crawford’s new barn quilt and their heritage stories, visit: www.chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/ crawford-party-barn.html For a map of the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail, see: www. chatthillsbarnquilttrail.com/tour-the-trail.html
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OUR COMMUNITY Q: How long will the build take? When do you think campus will be ready? A: It looks like we will take a phased approach with the 4 classroom pre-primary scheduled for completion mid-year 2022. The remaining structures will be completed between 12-14 months after construction starts which is based on hitting some fundraising targets.
EDUCATION EXPANSION Acton School Building For The Future The Acton Academy philosophy emphasizes a learner-driven, selfpaced model of education and incorporates some principles of Montessori education to foster responsibility, goal setting, and teamwork. Rather than traditional teachers who lecture students sitting at their desks, Acton teachers are “guides” that present short, engaging lessons and facilitate learning through conversation with insightful, leading questions. It’s no wonder that this educational model, which emphasizes mastery, creativity, and real-world skills has been so appealing to families. Thriving enrollment (from 41 students to over 132 for the 2021 school year) means that Acton has sized out of its original location in Grange. The school currently utilizes four spaces throughout the Serenbe community to accommodate all of their new learners, with exciting plans for a new campus in the Mado neighborhood underway. The future campus will be
located next to the Serenbe Swim Club on Prom Field Road, and like much of the architecture in the Mado hamlet, it will draw inspiration from Scandinavia, with bold use of color and little ornamentation. Before the end of 2021, Acton plans to begin construction on the first building, a 4-room pre-primary space for completion for the 2022-2023 school year. Phase Two will swiftly follow and will feature a multi-purpose gym and a 10-room building for additional classroom studios depending on fundraising. We spoke with Head of School Dr. Eden Hinds about Acton’s plans for a new and expanded campus. Q: What features will the new campus include? A: Three learning structures consisting of 16 classrooms, an amphitheater, a gym/theater stage, a small livestock/farm, as well as exterior learning spaces.
Q: How has Serenbe Development aided funding and building for the campus? A: They are our largest supporter with the donation of the land and with providing commercial leased space to facilitate our growth throughout the years. They have also provided a tremendous amount of help to ensure the campus design aligns with the guidelines of the community so the social experience and integration with nature is maximized. Q: What will this new campus mean for the future of Acton? A: Growth and access for our greater community with a target to support 350 learners. We will also be able to provide a learning environment that offers the same cultural and community experiences we enjoy as adults with an intentional integration with the art and environment. Want to get involved in Acton? Enrollment is open for the 2022-2023, and there is a wait list for the 2021-2022 school year. Find that information at actonacademyatserenbe.com. If you’re interested in donating, contact Eden at hos@actonacademyatserenbe.com.
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Members of The Bridge Group: Greg Sudmeier, George Danusis, Barry Anbinder, Joey Mitchell, and Peter Clemens will be organizing the renovation.
Art Room Renovation at City Hall Please consider a tax-deductible financial contribution to renovate and equip one room in the Chattahoochee Hills City Hall building. The completed renovation will provide an artistic space that will offer a variety of art classes and workshops for Chattahoochee Hills’ residents. The Chatt Hills Artist Co-op Inc. (CHAC) is organizing this fundraiser. We are member-supported and consists of The Chatt Hills Gallery at Serenbe and The Paint Space. After attaining nonprofit designation in 2018, we immediately embarked on a mission to help Chattahoochee Hills’ residents explore their creativity and express their own voices through art. The Paint Space opened in 2019, offering individual and small-group drawing and painting classes led by Serenbe artists. In 2021, regionally acclaimed artists joined us to offer workshops in watercolor and collage. Adults and teens, beginner through advanced, learned new art skills while building confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment. The CHAC is partnering with the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Community Brickworks, The Bridge Group, The University of West Georgia, and The South Fulton Institute for Art, Culture, and the Environment to offer future art 10
classes once the room is renovated and equipped. The CHAC fundraising goal is $50,000. A donor has already provided a heating and air conditioning unit. The funds raised will be used to upgrade the electrical box, flooring, walls, windows and lighting, to make this an engaging space equipped for artists. Your contribution this year will allow us to start renovations in January 2022. https://donorbox.org/chattahoochDONATE HERE ee-hills-city-art-room-renovation For more information call 818-434-5436. Checks should be made out to “Chatt Hills Artist Co-op, Inc.” and mailed to: 9057 Selborne Lane, Chatt Hills, GA 30268, or dropped off at City Hall.
let’s vote
9057 Selborne Lane | Chatt Hills GA 30268 | www.chatthillsgallery.com | admin@chatthillsgalleryserenbe.com
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Bear Creek Nature Center 6300 Cochran Mill Rd; Chatt Hills, GA 30263
Don’t Put Me in a Box
Spotlight on the Eastern Box Turtle One of the southeast United States’ most iconic residents is the eastern box turtle. Despite the fact that these are one of the most commonly seen animal residents in backyards and crossing trails and roads across rural and urban areas, the eastern box turtle remains a rather enigmatic creature to many people. However, being mysterious doesn’t diminish the value of a species. Instead, it calls people to reflect on the roles that these unique critters play in keeping the balance of our local ecosystem, and even urges us to consider our own contributions. Get to Know Turtles Let’s start with the first question on everybody’s mind: is it a turtle or a tortoise? This is not meant to be a trick question. All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. There are a variety of details that may go into the official name of any given turtle species. However, more importantly than knowing the name is to know the defining characteristics of the turtle. Without even knowing the exact name, these physical characteristics can help to provide clues about the turtle’s lifestyle and habitat needs. Honing this skill alone can help empower ordinary citizens to advocate for a wide range of turtle species in their daily lives. So what makes the box turtle special? You might notice that a box turtle doesn’t look like the average sea turtle or pond turtle often associated with the nearby pond, lake, or beach. These aquatic turtles tend to have flatter, sloped shells that are more hydrodynamic for moving in water. They also have flippers (in the case of most sea turtles) or webbed feet (in the case of most freshwater turtles) to accommodate their aquatic and semi-aquatic lifestyles, respectively. In contrast is another quintessential southeastern turtle species: the gopher tortoise. This representative state turtle of Georgia and state tortoise of Florida is marked by a round, domed shell accompanied by flat, elephantine-like back feet and a row of long, thick claws on its front feet.
with a hinge beneath (the bottom is called a plastron). The hinge on their plastron allows them to close in or “box” themselves completely up to be safe from predators. When this happens, they are in their element and able to camouflage extraordinarily well into the leaf litter of a forest floor. Each shell pattern is distinct to each individual. Box turtles also have elephantine-feet on all four feet, with claws and only slight webbing. While they are often found in proximity to small bodies of water like creeks, streams, or ponds, they are terrestrial (or land-living) turtles. Their sure-footed feet are meant for hours of traveling in a day to graze and forage for food (whether plant or insect or animal--they are opportunistic omnivores). They are often seen on the move after a spring or fall rain and during seasons to find a mate, lay eggs, or claim new territory. In general, eastern box turtles remain within a relatively small radius for most of their life history (imagine staying your whole life within the confines of about two football fields)! This means that they are an especially helpful indicator of the health of local ecosystems down to the health of a neighborhood or backyard forest. Box turtles are often able to provide clues about the health of local waterways and indicate water quality issues before they begin to affect human populations. They are essential pieces in the wider connections of a forest ecosystem and are one aspect we can study to build understanding toward goals of conservation and sustainability.
Uniquely Box Turtle In this wide array, from sea-faring to dirt-digging turtles, the box turtle’s characteristics land in a unique place. Box turtles have a domed shell (the top is called a carapace)
Take Action At Bear Creek Nature Center, we believe in empowering individuals to action in their communities. This can take many forms, from advocacy to education. Here are a few
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OUR COMMUNITY ideas for ways you can get involved: • Contact a local nature center, wildlife rehab, or conservation to see how you can volunteer or contribute. In our area, we have organizations like Bear Creek Nature Center, Chattahoochee Riverkeepers, Southern Conservation Trust, and AWARE wildlife working toward these ends. • If you find an injured turtle, contact Animal Help Now (ahnow.org) or your state’s Department of Natural Resources website for nearby wildlife rehabbers. • Use an app like HerpMapper or iNaturalist to document wildlife sightings, especially of turtles, and build your identification skills! Scientists use these citizen science efforts to better understand reptile and amphibian populations. • Leave no trace. It’s important to keep wild things wild. When encountering wild amphibians or reptiles, please remember to let them be! Admire from a distance, take a photo with your phone, but please allow them to continue on their journey. Meet Senoia One of our resident animal ambassadors also does her part to advocate for her species. Senoia the eastern box turtle was taken from the wild and kept as a pet. Unfortunately, her owner did not understand proper husbandry, and she was relegated to living in a small tank with water. When she was surrendered to wildlife rehabbers at Chattahoochee
Nature Center, her body had absorbed so much water that she was bloated to nearly two times her normal size. Her road to recovery was long, but she was eventually able to retire to Bear Creek Nature Center where she enjoys a large enclosure to roam, fresh vegetables and fruits to eat, and some of her favorite treats of live grubs to help keep her healthy! Until next time! Joanne Wasdin, Naturalist
We’re looking for farm volunteers!
The Rodale Institute Southeast Organic Center is an organic research center located at Many Fold Farm in Chattahoochee Hills. We are seeking hardworking and dedicated volunteers to assist with daily farm tasks, like weeding, harvesting, and mowing, and larger projects like irrigation and fence maintenance. Volunteers at the SOC will have the opportunity to learn about organic farming and research while working on meaningful projects that will help our young farm grow! No experience necessary – just the desire to learn, work hard in all weather conditions, and get dirty! Half-day shifts are available weekly. Contact Laura Wingfield at laura. wingfield@rodaleinstitute.org.
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OUR COMMUNITY The Brainery The Brainery is a chiropractic office that recently opened a second location in Serenbe and is accepting new practice members! They are a family-based chiropractic office whose focus is on providing natural healing for you and your family. Our goal as practitioners is to maximize your human potential through chiropractic adjustments, mindfulness coaching and neurologically entrained breath and movement strategies. Dr. Perry offers a wide range of chiropractic techniques from light-touch, neurologically-based entrainments to traditional chiropractic adjustments to help find and correct the root cause of your symptoms. Dr. Perry is a Webster certified chiropractic with countless post-doctoral pediatric training for those who are pregnant in the area and looking for a perinatal chiropractor. The Brainery offers services such as: Chiropractic Care - Nervous about traditional chiropractic with twisting, cracking, and popping? Don’t worry! We also offer gentle and specific adjustments by hand or instrument without the scary stuff!
to focus on diastasis recti, pelvic floor, and optimal fetal position. These can even be done online! Schedule a FREE phone consult to determine which instructor would be the best for you! Please visit our website at https://thebraineryatl.com or call/ text (404)543-2394 to schedule your initial visit. The Brainery Midtown | Sandy Springs | Serenbe 404.543.2394 call/text thebraineryatl.com
Network Spinal - Light-touch, neurologically-based entrainments to help the body release patterns of tension that are keeping you feeling “stuck.” Wellness Consultation - This 45-60 minute consultation looks at 7 areas of healthy living to create a 6-month plan that incorporates non-toxic DIY recipes and products to support your wellness journey. Functional Movement - These private 1-hour sessions focus on core stability and are customized to the individual based on their unique needs. Our teachers are trained in everything from exercise physiology to yoga, martial arts, pilates, and more! This offering is great for folks who sit a lot for work, are athletic or elderly and want to improve balance and coordination, or pregnant/postpartum and want CHATT HILLS NEWS - NOVEMBER - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS
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OUR COMMUNITY Useful Contacts: Lifeline Animal Project Spay & Neuter Clinic Southside/Airport, 2533 Sullivan Rd. College Park, GA 30337 678-973-2881, www.lifelineanimal.org
Found a Cat? Now What? What to do when you find a lost cat: • Many cats are perfectly fine and are being cared for by various people in the community, or their owner is nearby. • Get a good picture of the cat. • Check for a collar or tag. • Check for a microchip. Have the cat scanned for a microchip at your local Vet or PetSmart /pet hospital. o If no chip is detected, put up flyers in the area— distribute to local vets and businesses, and post on local social media sites including ‘lost and found” pet sites. • While trying to locate the owner, set up food and water. • Contact local Rescues if you cannot find a home for the cat. Unfortunately, most shelters are often full. It may need your help to find a home. • If the ear is clipped or the cat has a tattoo on its belly, it means that the cat has been spayed or neutered. It may still need a wellness check. • Feral cats may need to be trapped, fixed, vaccinated, and returned to their outdoor homes. See Lifeline contact info on page 15, or your local Vet. What to do when you find kittens: • If you have found a litter of Kittens, DON’T INTERVENE YET! Mom may be back soon. She is the best chance for their survival. Note the exact time and place that you saw the kittens. Walk away. Return 8-12 hours later. • If you return and find: o The kittens are gone. This means Mom came back. If you can locate the cat family, contact Lifeline Animal Project - Spay & Neuter clinic about their spay/neuter program for the mama cat & litter. o The kittens are still there. They need your help now. Contact your local Vet or Lifeline for instructions. 14
Found a dog? Now what? What to do when you find a lost dog: • If the animal has a collar with a number, call the owner. If there isn’t a number, call the Chatt Hills Police at 911 or the daytime number (770) 463-8881 and explain that you have found a dog. o The call will be forwarded to the officers on duty. They have a chip reader and can scan for a micro chip. o Also, many vets have micro chip readers and can scan the chip for identification. o PLEASE DO NOT call Fulton County Animal Control. LET THE POLICE DECIDE WHO TO CALL. • If the dog is aggressive, call the Chatt Hills Police at 911 at any time day or night. They will call the necessary agencies for pick up. Please let the police decide what to do with the dog. • Take a photo of the dog and post it to (also check these sites for postings of lost pets). o Lost and Found Pets of Chatt Hills (Facebook) o Chatt Hills Neighbor page (Facebook) o Serenbe residents and businesses (if a resident of Serenbe). (Facebook)
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Coweta County Lost and Found Pets (Facebook) if you are close to Coweta county line o Cochran Mill Trails (Facebook) if found in or around Cochran Mill Park o You might be from Palmetto Georgia if...(facebook) o Chatt Hills Happenings, rants and raves (Facebook) o FindingRover.com a national website for missing animals • Put up signs in your area. Police will allow the signs to remain up for one week. • If you are able to keep the dog until the owner is found, keep it separated from your pets until it is vetted just to be safe. If you are unable to keep the dog until the owner is found, let police decide where the animal should be kept. o The police will pick up the dog and find housing until the owner can be found or a family is available to adopt. The city of Chatt Hills works with both Fulton Animal Control and CoCo’s Cupboard to guarantee the safety of lost and stray pets. You’ve fallen in LOVE. What now? • By law, an animal must be kept as a “hold stray” in an accredited holding facility for 7 days before possibility of adoption. If the owner cannot be found, you have a new family member! Just remember, someone who loves that animal might desperately be looking for their pet.
Lost Your Animal? Now What?
Other options/ideas: • Try the website FindingRover.com • Leave a message with the Chatt Hills police department (770) 463-6576 that your pet is missing, along with description. Let them know if your animal is micro chipped. • Text “LOST” to 1.833.285.7387 (1.833.ATLPETS) to opt into receiving message tips on finding your pet. • Start searching lost.petcolove.org o Your uploaded pet’s photo will be scanned by facial recognition software on this site and compared to animals at shelters and those reported by the community. • If your animal is microchipped, call the company and let them know that your animal is missing. If you are unable to remember the company, look it up on Pet Microchip Lookup. Make sure that your information is up to date. • Put up flyers in your area. Need help generating a flyer? Go to Pet Bond. Flyers will be left up for one week before removal by Chatt Hills Police. They must be 10 feet from the side of the road. Over the next week, continue to: • Check lifeline animal.org of Atlanta, nchsrescue.org of Newnan, and Coco’s Cupboard FB page frequently. You may want to visit the shelters with a picture and description of your animal in hand. • Check and post on sites listed above. We hope that you soon will be reunited with your pet!
Within the first hours alert your neighbors through phone tree or Facebook post. Post your animal’s picture along with a description and a phone number to call. Facebook Groups: • Lost and found pets of Chatt Hills • Chatt Hills Neighbor page • Cowetta County Lost and Found Pets • You know you’re from Palmetto Ga if..... • Serenbe residents and businesses (if a resident of Serenbe) • Chatt Hills happenings, rants, and raves
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OUR COMMUNITY
Jett Hattaway, Gwen and Pepper Bullock, Peter Clemens, Clifford Blizard, Chip and “Peachy” Denton, Roland Alston, Robbie Rockovitz, Tom Blum, Darold and Michele Wendlandt, Herndon Murray, Camille Low, and Laurie Searle. Brett Davidson, with MTBA, lead a small group in Cochran Mill park and on Cochran Mill Road - Scott Beardsell and George Rigby.
Trash Pickup Day The Pickup team collected a full size pickup truck of bags, tires, and debris. Plus, Brett Davidson brought some bags to City Hall in his own truck. The area covered was most of Wilkerson Mill, Cochran Mill, Hutcheson Ferry, Rico, and Petersburg Roads.
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Trending Topic
LOCAL HISTORY Marking the Historic in Chatt Hills: A Call for Contributions By Allison Duncan Stewardship of our past is inherent in the vision for Chattahoochee Hills. It is the impression of previous generations on the land that shapes our rural landscape today, so when we say that the city is deliberately rural, we articulate the choice to care for all that has come before us. Maintaining that landscape requires us to understand those components that are critical to defining this place. The Chattahoochee Hills Historic Commission is working to identify those places that contribute to the historic character of the community. Some instances may be obvious, such as the older buildings that have survived for generations and continue to be used as homes, barns, and stores. Other things are less obvious, such as the old ferries that allowed transport and commerce to be established; the mills and lumber yards that fueled industry in the community; the cotton terraces and the outbuildings that supported the local economy. The Historic Commission welcomes your contributions to this project. What do you think is historic in Chattahoochee Hills? Where are those landmarks worthy of distinction? The Commission is developing recommendations to present to the City Council early in 2022. Foremost is the consideration of a historic marker program to highlight our collective heritage. All ideas are welcome. Please send recommendations to the City Clerk, Dana Wicher, at dana.wicher@chatthillsga.us so they can be forwarded to the Commission. Please also feel free to join us at our regularly scheduled Historic Commission Meeting on Monday, November 8, 2021 or Monday, January 10, 2022 to hear an update and share your ideas on this project. (Please note that the Historic Commission will not meet in December 2021).
Little physical evidence remains of Henry’s Mill, located on Bear Creek in Cochran Mill Park.
The Varner Family Cemetery is a part of the larger landscape, including the house and terraces on the Chattahoochee River.
The old Rico School predates the school built in 1933 that now serves as the Chattahoochee Hills City Hall. CHATT HILLS NEWS - NOVEMBER - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS
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EVENTS Nov 2, 6pm
Oct 15 - Nov 7, Thurs. - Sun. 10am - 4pm SERENBE DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE High above the Grange neighborhood lies perhaps the most dramatic Serenbe Showhouse to date. The custom Rausch Ridge home has three stories with 14.5-ft ceilings that give the illusion from the front drive that the house touches the sky and huge wall-to-wall windows that provide near birds-eye views through the trees high above this ridge. This year's Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Serenbe Designer Showhouse features 12 of Atlanta's top interior designers, led by Lorraine Enwright of Intuitive Dwellings who worked with South Haven Builders to select the home's interior finishes. TICKETS https://bit.ly/2YZ0ZZI
Nov. 6 Fall Trail Race Run by horse pastures and waterfalls, around lakes and streams, and over the rolling hills that gave Chattahoochee Hills its name. Serenbe’s Trail Races offer guests the unique opportunity to run a 15k or run/walk a 5k through the preserved woods usually private to residents and Inn guests. Discover the beautiful Chattahoochee Hills countryside as you run through nature, only 20 minutes from Atlanta. Start/Finish - 295 Prom Field Road, Palmetto, 30268 Organized by Acton Academy at Serenbe Event details: https://www.active.com/palmetto-ga/ running/distance-running-races/serenbe-trail-race-2021. 18
Nov 7, 3pm Environmental Programming Series Doug Parsons, the host of America Adapts Podcast, on November 7th at 3pm EST. His talk, entitled "Fried Green Adaptations," will cover issues related to climate adaptation and highlight inspirational stories from leaders and communities as they begin to navigate these issues. You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/3puVBsi
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Sessions at Redwine Fall 2021 l
Keith Robinson is pleased to present the schedule for the Fall Session at Redwine Plantation. This session encompasses both the culinary as well as the decorative in anticipation of the holiday season. Come join us at Redwine for a series of culinary and decorative classes where we explore: • Class One: Roasted Pumpkin Salad, Bulb Forcing, & Autumnal Decor • Class Two: Pumpkin Gnocchi & Pecan Pie • Class Three: Building Holiday Decor • Class Four: Holiday Baking • A La Cart Class Five: Buche de Noel What’s Included: • Twenty-four hours (over four classes) of hands on personal instruction featuring Keith Robinson’s signature lectures, instruction, and recipes. • Each class will feature its own unique items which are a part of the “take home experience.” • Luncheon and beverage service at each session.
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DATES: November 10 November 17 December 1 December 8 December 15* 9am-3pm
SESSION PRICING: Full Session: $1220 December 15 A la cart: $185 Commitment and a 50% deposit is due by November 1 with the balance due upon the first class.
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• Each class is limited to 15 attendees and enrollment is first come, first serve • We ask that all attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 • For those interested a more detailed outline of the Fall Session Curriculum is forthcoming.
Redwine Sessions WITH KEITH ROBINSON
13125 HUTCHENSON FERRY ROAD, PALMETTO, GA 30268 EMAIL: REDWINESESSIONS@GMAIL.COM INSTAGRAM: REDWINESESSIONS CHATT HILLS NEWS - NOVEMBER - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS
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EVENTS
Nov. 6, at 7:30pm, Private Home/Public Concert, 8390 Hearn Road, Chatt Hills
Nov. 13, 7-10pm at Bouckaert Farm, 10045 Cedar Grove Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213
Gary Motley Trio
Shawn Mullins
Info and Tickets: https://bit.ly/3BK9Tsi
Info and Tickets: https://bit.ly/3mXIU6t
Gary Motley is a pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. He has received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, and the American Composers Forum. Gary has also been featured on National Public Radio’s Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland. Other engagements include the 2014 National Black Arts Festival salute to Wynton Marsalis with Marcus Belgrave and the Annual Emory University Jazz Festival with violinist Regina Carter (2015), Anat Cohen (2016) with bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Carl Allen. Gary recently returned from Colombia, South America where he participated in a jazz education outreach initiative for the Centro Colombo Americano and also traveled to Havana, Cuba with the Victor Goines Sextet as a part of the Horns to Havana Education Exchange Project. In addition to his work as an artist, Gary is committed to jazz education and awareness. As Professor of Performance and Director of Jazz Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Gary has developed the Robert Strickland Jazz Studio, an innovative interactive teaching facility that integrates the rich heritage of American jazz with today’s technology practices. Gary is also a member of the Jazz Education Network and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
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Grammy nominated, #1 American hit, songwriter for tv and Zack Brown—all accomplished by folk legend Shawn Mullins. After a series of indie record releases, Shawn Mullins’ critical breakthrough came when 1998 Soul’s Core album shot him to fame on the strength of its Grammy-nominated No. 1 hit, “Lullaby” followed by AAA/Americana No. 1 “Beautiful Wreck” from 2006’s 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor. His song, “Shimmer” was used in promotion of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and was included on the Dawson’s Creek soundtrack. He co-wrote “All in My Head” which was featured in episode one of the hit TV sitcom “Scrubs.” Mullins also co-wrote the Zac Brown Band’s No. 1 country tune “Toes.” In early 2002, he formed super group The Thorns with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge. For the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough album, Shawn revisited the music of Soul’s Core by recording two new versions of the album. He calls this Soul’s Core Revival. This is not a remix or a remaster of the original, but rather brand new recordings with new arrangements of the songs – one album is stripped down solo performances, some on guitar, some on piano, and maybe one a cappella, and the second is a new studio recording with his full band, Soul Carnival.
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Trending Topic
EVENTS
Nov. 14, 2021, at 6pm, Parnass Savang TRIFOLIATE AWARDS DINNERS Parnass grew up helping his parents at their Thai restaurant in Lawrenceville. He worked at restaurants in New York City before returning to Atlanta and launching Talat Market as a pop-up at Gato Bizco in Candler Park, opening a brickand-mortar iteration in 2020 in Summerhill. Exalting culinary excellence in the American South, this inaugural award honors six chefs selected by noted food journalists John Kessler, Christiane Lauterbach, and Ligaya Figueras, in collaboration with Chef Nicolas Bour. The awards are paired with intimate chef dinners, hosted by The Farmhouse at Serenbe, to showcase the culinary talents of the featured chef honorees. This series has 3 dinners remaining: Nov. 14, Jan. 23, & Feb. 20. $400/person, Proceeds from the Trifoliate Award Dinners will go towards This Postage Stamp of Native Soil, an oral history project based in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Info and Tickets: https://www.trifoliates.com/chefdinners
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING AT CITY HALL
Make a Child’s Holiday Extra Special Many children and families are in need of a little extra help this holiday season. Would you sponsor a child or teen this Christmas? Community Brickworks wants to help make the season special for children and teens in need. If you know of a family that needs additional support during the holidays, please let us know! Contact Carla Carrabino text : 404-771-1418 email: gramsfarm@bellsouth.net
Nov. 26-Jan. 2, 5-11pm at Bouckaert Farm, 10045 Cedar Grove Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213 HOLIDAY ROAD
Holiday Road is the premiere family-friendly Holiday experience. Expect to see some larger than life holiday displays, illuminating lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elves, countless candy canes, and all of your favorite holiday cheer! We have designated time slots starting at 5:30pm and ending at 9:30pm. Advanced ticket purchase is required. The trail itself is a 2/3-mile long, self-guided walking trail. Visitors are welcome to experience the attractions at their own pace. Most guests spend between 60 to 90 minutes in total on the grounds engaging in both our preshow area and the walking trail. Enjoy a variety of food and beverages, capture those instagrammable moments, join in the fun with interactive experiences, or visit holiday bars for a seasonal cocktail to take with you on the trail! Website: https://holidayroadusa.com/
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Inaugural
Porchfest Sat. Nov. 6
Barbecue will be by Sydney Corum, Drinks by Horse Bar with t-shirts for sale $25 and posters $20
2021
Noon to 6 PM free
Annual
Bring Chairs BYOB
Communal Love & Peace Nov. 12, 10am-1pm Corinne Galla Oil Painting Class at The Paint Space
FALSE HEARTED LOVERS CEDAR GROVE PICKERS NEUROPLASICITY Grady Cousins THE BROOKSES QUIET HOUNDS ROSS PEAD UKELADIES RUSTY ZARSE QUANTUMMIXX LOGAN DANIELS GLORIA EDWARDS MARCUS CRUTCHER REBEKAH MICHAELS DAROLD WENDLANDT BILL & NESHA BRYANT MR. JEFF (MILLIGAN-TOFFLER) LILI JAY, CASEY HOOPER, STEVE ARNOLD & THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALL-STAR JAM
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Live Music on Porches & lawns in Grange Hamlet Brought to You by Poster Design by Judy Walker
our Neighbors
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Come paint a floral still life in an 8x10 size, mid-class break, bring a snack, $75 materials included, sign up here: https://bit. ly/3GGST9t Located at The Paint Space in Serenbe, 10625 Serenbe Lane, Suite A, Chatt Hills, 30268
Arts Section Matt Hobbs Artist-in-Residence Nov. 1 - Nov 7
Ron Emile Artist-in-Residence Nov. 8 - Nov 14
Andy Coen Artist-in-Residence Nov. 8 - Nov 14
Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, Matt Hobbs is an award-winning songwriter and composer based in Atlanta, GA. Matt was named Readers Pick “Best Songwriter” in Creative Loafing’s “Best of Atlanta” 2019. Matt is the creator of Puppy Songs, the Internet's favorite dog-themed music comedy channel - home to viral hits like "Stuck on My Teefs" and "What If It Was for Puppies?" Matt is especially passionate about musical theatre. He has been a resident Music Director and Musical Improviser at Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Atlanta since 2012. Matt has accompanied countless improv shows, composed songs for scripted productions like “Woman of the Year” and “Black Nerd,” and provided music direction for musicals like “ThanksKilling, the Musical,” and “Gutenberg! The Musical.” Matt also composes and records songs for advertising, film, television, and live events.
Ron Emile is a multi-talented creative. His earliest memories involve GI Joe and Transformers action figures and elaborate storylines. Hispanola Productions, named after his Haitian and Dominican parents, is a media company Emile started because of his strong desire to tell eclectic stories. Originally from Brooklyn, Emile came to Atlanta as a teen but not before living on both sides of the island of Hispaniola. That experience had a profound effect on how he sees the world. Emile is a broadcaster, screenwriter, educator, playwright, film director, and producer. He has produced a wide range of content from PSA’s for the NAACP about statutory rape, a documentary about a gang member who finds out he has AIDS, to comedic digital shows about pop culture and politics. His experience on stage ranges from stand-up, the classics, to performing improv with the world-renowned Dad’s Garage Theater.
Andy Coen is an improv force with 14 years of experience performing shows around the world along with Dad's Garage Theater and Automatic Improv. When not on stage, he works as a Writer Producer for Cartoon Network responsible for crafting written and video elements ranging from movie trailers, promotions, and original comedy videos to drafting emails and designing hotels. From giving tours at the CNN center, to running the cameras, to piloting the Daily Share on HLN, Andy has had vast and varied experiences in pitching creative concepts, refining them by committee, and delivering award-winning results. He acts, performs, writes, directs, edits, produces, and sometimes teaches people how to do those things. Over his career he has worked on content for brands like Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, CNN, Harry Potter, VH1 and with companies like Coca-Cola, McKinsey & Company, Georgia Tech, and Emory.
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Took O’Neill Artist-in-Residence Nov. 15 - Nov 21 Took is ready for Indigenous sovereignty Are you ready, too?
COFFEE “CHATT” The artists in residence are always interested in engaging with the Chatt Hills Community. Coffee “CHATT” is a chance to sit down with the artists over a cup of coffee in Chattahoochee Hills. If you’d like an opportunity to have a chat, reach out to AIR SFI Programming Director Michael Bettis at michael@airsfi.org.
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Arts Section
Enhanced by Design By Maria Hanson
Design has been in my job description for more than 15 years. I've always been a self-employed contractor, designing and producing a variety of marketing and advertising collateral, print and digital, with every level of client—corporate, non-profit, small business, civic, and more. What I love as much as a beautifully designed product is helping the user (whether through a website, app, or printed publication) have a more successful experience. As well, empathy is fundamental to my life’s work, not only for the user, but also for the client. I want to make a difference in the everyday lives of people, whether they're interacting with my client's product as employee, student, patient, customer, or executive. I want to help create better interactions. About 4 years ago I realized I needed to pivot in my career. Print was not as abundant, and the ad agencies and marketing departments I'd freelanced for in the past were either gone entirely or had transitioned into digital agencies. I made the decision to attend an immersive technical school, General Assembly in Ponce City Market, to learn another group of skill sets. Luckily, my graphic design and design software experience gave me a leg up in the visual design portion of the process. The User Experience (UX) is how a "user" interacts with and “experiences” a product, system, or service. It includes a person's perceptions of utility, ease of use, and efficiency. We've all been there, struggling with a digital checkout, a self-checkout at a store, or finding information within a website, right? Companies realized their products were frustrating customers and employees, so they brought on UX designers who work with developers to make that experience more fluid and intuitive. My UX design skills include user research, testing, iteration, wireframing, prototyping, and more; all of these components are essential to the design process. Sketching ideas leading to high-res protoypes and mockups are methods I’ve employed throughout my entire career. I am currently engaged as a work-from-home contractor with Cox Automotive, focusing on the vehicle buyer auction component within Manheim. Previous UX design clients have included Aflac, Hawaiian Airlines, and Carey Luxury Car Services. I still find time to help my graphic design clients and friends with logo, brochure, and social media design. Whatever the project at hand, my love of creative endeavor and end-user satisfaction provides just the right balance of form and function, enhancing both what we see and what we do. https://mariahanson.myportfolio.com/workMaria Hanson
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Arts Section Karin Slaton
Judy Walker
Ken Shepard
Adrienne Anbinder Renae Walker Greg Blount
Malinda Lively
Eileen Wilson
Bob Lederman
Brandon Murphy
Logynn Ferrall
Wanda Hughes Julie McKinney 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 - NOVEMBER - SUBSCRIBE TO CHATT HILLS NEWS
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Arts Section November 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: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan From Patti Callahan, the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, comes another enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis. "Where did Narnia come from?" The answer will change everything." SIGNED copies available in-store only! Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9780785251729 New in Nonfiction: On Animals by Susan Orlean Susan Orlean—author of the New York Times bestseller The Library Book—gathers a lifetime of musings, meditations, and in-depth profiles about animals. These stories consider a range of creatures—the household pets we dote on, the animals we raise to end up as meat on our plates, the creatures who could eat us for dinner, the various tamed and untamed animals we share our planet with who are central to human life. In her own backyard, Orlean discovers the delights of keeping chickens. In a different backyard, in New Jersey, she meets a woman who has twenty-three pet tigers—something none of her neighbors knows about until one of the tigers escapes. In Iceland, the world’s most famous whale resists the efforts to set him free; in Morocco, the world’s hardest-working donkeys find respite at a special clinic. We meet a show dog and a lost dog and a pigeon who knows exactly how to get home. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781982181536 New in Young Adult: All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman You fell in love with the victors of The Hunger Games. Now prepare to meet the villains of the Blood Veil. Every generation, at the coming of the Blood Moon, seven families in the remote city of Ilvernath each name a champion to compete in a secret tournament to the death. The prize? Exclusive control over a secret wellspring of high magick, the most powerful resource in the world—one thought long depleted. But this year a salacious tell-all book has exposed the tournament and thrust the seven new champions into the worldwide spotlight. The book also granted them valuable information previous champions never had—insight into the other families’ strategies, secrets, and weaknesses. And most importantly, it gave them a choice: accept their fate or rewrite their legacy. Ages 13+. Buy online: https://bookshop.org/a/45/9781250789259
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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
Sardis Baptist Church is looking for a Bi-vocational Pastor, Part-time Minister of Music and Part-time Pianist. Please send resumes to sardisbaptistch@ yahoo.com.
Rivertown United Methodist Church 9325 Rivertown Rd Sardis Baptist Church 8400 Sardis Rd www.sardisbaptistch.com
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.
Southern Crescent Unitarian Universalist Fellowship www.facebook.com/SouthernCrescentUUFellowship/ Vernon Grove Baptist Church 8440 Vernon Grove Rd
Memorials
Dr. O Eugene Tyre Dr. O Eugene Tyre, former Pastor of Providence Baptist Church and great leader, has passed away. The life of Dr. O. Eugene Tyre can best be described in the words of Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way." The Lord delighted in Dr. Gene Tyre when he arrived in His presence on the morning of Sunday, September 26, 2021. Otis Eugene Tyre, Jr. was born in Jesup, GA on Thursday, October 10, 1940 to the late Otis Eugene Tyre and Sara Wilson Tyre. Gene grew up the small rural community of Odum in Wayne County, GA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Joy Kinsey.
Barbara McAlister Mrs. Barbara McAlister, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and great grandmother, age 81, of Chattahoochee Hills, passed away Monday, October 18, 2021. She was born January 16, 1940 to the late Walter and Louise Worsham. Barbara was a lifelong educator with Fulton County Schools and dedicated her life to the development of her students as well as the teaching professionals who she led. She was actively involved in her church and her sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa. Barbara was preceded in death by her step-sons, Joe Frakes McAlister, Jay Edward McAlister. She is survived by her husband, Joe McAlister; her son, Prentice Robertson (Cindy); her step-daughter, Suzy Bortles (Rob); grandchildren, Brittany Blankenship (Wes), Corey Robertson, Casey Robertson, Blake Bortles (Kasey), Colby Bortles (Samantha), Brodie McAlister; great grandchildren, Kate Blankenship, Remi Bortles, Bowen Bortles, Colton McAlister; sisters, Sharon Miller (John), Deborah Ethridge; brother, Walter Worsham, III (Serena).
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Noise
Number of Occupants Permitted The City of Chattahoochee Hills asks for your full cooperation Renters are advised that the following rules will be strictly enforced. Failure to comply may result in citations, fines up to $1,000 per violation and/or expulsion from rental property. City residents have the right to call a 24/7 short-term rental hotline to report violations of rules outlined in this brochure.
Vacation Rental Hotline: 678-723-4100 Police Non-Emergency Line: 404-730-7911
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Number of Bedrooms
Maximum Number of Overnight Occupants
Minimum Number of Bathrooms
Studio
2
1 full bath
1
2*
1 full bath
2
4*
2 full baths
3
6*
2 full baths
4
8*
3 baths
5
10*
3 baths
*(Plus up to 2 additional children under 15)
Special Events
Special event permits are required for gatherings in vacation rental properties that exceed the number of allowable people outlined in this brochure. Special event permits must be applied for by the homeowner or the homeowner’s authorized representative 60 days prior to the event.
Please keep any music and other entertainment to an appropriate level. The homeowner or an authorized agent will be expected to answer and respond to the Hotline compliant calls within 60 minutes to the Chattahoochee Hills Police Department will be called.
Trash Rental properties should be kept clean with no visible trash. Please keep all trash is designated receptacles out of street view.
Parking Onsite parking is limited to approved carports, garages, driveways and designated spots. Renters’ vehicles should not block a neighbor’s access to their home. Additional vehicles and encouraged to park directly in front of the rental property or an authorized offsite location
Animals/Pets The City requires that al dogs be on a leash whenever they are in unclosed areas or on public streets. Please pick up and dispose of your pet’s waste. Loud animals often result in neighbor complaints. For additional information please see Chattahoochee Hills Municipal Code 18.1 – 18.215
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City Government
Robert T. Rokovitz, MPA, ICMA-CM
Audit Results are in for FY2021 Every year, local governments are required by Georgia law §36-81-7 to have an independent audit of their financials and report the findings to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA). We take great pride in our ability to be transparent and fiscally responsible when it comes to how we budget and report financials. That is, we have sound financial policies that dictate how we collect and allocate revenues and anticipate and expend those revenues. When anomalies happen, which they inevitably do, they are always communicated to the governing body, and budget amendments are recommended and adopted as necessary. This is evidenced in the favorable outcome of our annual audits. We are now in receipt of a DRAFT Audit for FY2021 which is from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. I have reviewed the audit and created a table below that illustrates where we stand in our governmental funds. This information will be even clearer when the MD&A (Management Discussion and Analysis) is complete. But in the spirit of transparency and educating the public, I want to share a snapshot of the results of our audit at the “Fund” level.
So let’s talk about this fund balance of $3,622,119. This is the total of fund balances from four different governmental funds.
When the audit is complete, I will recommend some budget amendments so that the FY2022 reflects the outcome of the FY2021 audit. You will notice a higher fund balance than usual. There are two significant reasons for this: (1) we took a very conservative approach to capital spending in order to pursue a larger roadway project in FY2022 which is happening right now, and (2) the City received ARPA funding from the Federal government that is being used to offset lost revenues and fund COVID-related expenditures. Revenues: The audit shows that we have $743,364 over what we projected in General Fund Revenues. This is attributed to our conservative projections which plays into how we budget expenditures. The additional funds in the Grants budget is from the CARES Act grant that the City received from Fulton County to be directed to COVID-related expenditures. The slight decrease in revenues in the Hotel/Motel Fund is a result of (a) a lower fund balance that was used on tourism development products, and (b) less revenues than projected due to the hospitality industry taking a hit from COVID. The decrease in TSPLOST is a result of lower collections than projected. We intentionally did not schedule any TSPLOST projects last fiscal year to allow these funds to accrue enough to have the funds for another paving project this fiscal year (FY2022). The overall Fund Balance for the General Fund is $2,471,668 which is slightly higher than we projected for FY2022 budget which is $2,021,880. This can be attributed to curtailing spending as we were coming out of the COVID pandemic-related financial impacts and collections that came in higher than projected. Nonetheless, this was not unexpected and is something we work hard toward maintaining since we have limited sources of revenue to fund general operations. Continued on page 26
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City Government Expenditures: The General Fund expenditures, which is essential departmental budgets, was pretty close to what was anticipated ($3,595,895) compared to the actuals ($3,380,185). We did not spend much Capital this year with the exception of fleet vehicles which included a Fire Tanker Truck. However, we were reimbursed for that truck through a lease secured from the Georgia Municipal Association. Debt Service was right on target ($5.00 off) for what we budget for our debt payments plus interest. You will see that we did not spend much in our Hotel/ Motel Fund which will have to be justified in a formal letter to the Department of Revenue once the audit is complete. This fiscal year, however, we will be spending Hotel Motel Funds on wayfinding signage throughout the City, a quilt trail, and the City’s’ newsletter (Chatt Hills City News) which you are reading now. The Wayfinding project for fabrication and installation of 25 signs through the City will be $139,995. This will be completed this fiscal year by the end of the calendar year this December. The design costs are estimated at $25,400 which places the entire project at $165,395 which is an awesome and approved use of Hotel/Motel Funds. The Grants budget shows no expenditures because (a) we chose to allow $134,126 in Local Maintenance Community
BRICKWORKS REPORT Community Brickworks - November Thanksgiving and Christmas - Things are picking up at the food pantry! We already have 60+ families on our lists for Thanksgiving meals and are in full swing getting our kids Christmas lists completed. Make a Child’s Holiday Extra Special - Many children and families are in need of a little extra help this holiday season. Would you sponsor a child or teen this Christmas? Community Brickworks wants to help make the season special for children and teens in need. If you know of a family that needs additional support during the holidays, please let us know! Contact Carla Carrabino text : 404771-1418 email: gramsfarm@bellsouth.net
Improvement Grant fund to roll over into this fiscal year to supplement TSPLOST for a larger project which is happening right now, (b) we received $44,890 more in conservation funds than projected, and (c) we received a CARES grant of $139,939. The increase of TSPLOST is based on the fund balance from FY2021 that was carried over and the additional funds that came in for May and June of FY2021 that were not recognized in the FY2022 Amended Budget. 100% of the audited fund balance of $839,938 funds are being allocated to the current TSPLOST project that is approved at $1,238,219.38. We anticipate being able to add the additional TSPLOST collection form July to November which is about $200,000, plus LMIG funds of $192,471 to close this gap so we do not have to touch capital reserves. By design, we did not spend much of our reserves which we conservatively accrue to maintain at least 17% of our General Fund. Once the FY2021 Audit has been finalized, it will be uploaded to the Georgia Data site (https://ted.cviog.uga. edu/financial-documents/budgets-financial-docs) powered by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government as required by HB122. Previous years’ budgets and audits can also be found on this site. Community Brickworks 6505 Rico Rd., Chatt Hills, GA 30268, 770-463-6600
Thanks Acton Academy! - A big thank you to Acton Academy in Serenbe for helping us with extra items for our Thanksgiving meals. They are also installing a Little Free Library for residents’ use. It will be installed curbside outside our library and will provide residents with children’s books free of charge. Expect to see it in a few weeks. Come by and pick up a book for your little ones! Lost and Found Dogs in Chatt Hills - We have donated several items to our police force to aid in found dog pick-ups in our community. Our hope is that our lost furry friends, with the aid of Coco’s Cupboard, will be well cared for and reunited with their families. Please consider giving a donation to Coco’s Cupboard. s CommunityBrickworks.org, and for more information.
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City Government Call to Order All members present. Review and Approval of Agenda Amended as follows: 1. Add Agenda Item 21-067, Request from Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC for a refund for the Imagine Music Festival alcohol beverage license. 2. Add Agenda Item 21-068, 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. Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 7, 2021 Passed 5-0 Presentations / Proclamations 1. Red Ribbon Week Proclamation 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 Public Hearing 1. Item 21-030: Public Hearing and Action on an Ordinance to adopt a new Unified Development Code and to Adopt a Zoning Map, as Amended. Passed 4-1, Schmidt opposed 2. Item 21-055: 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. Passed 5-0
Action Minutes ~ Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council City of Chatt Hills October 5, 2021 / 6:00 p.m. New Business 1. Item 21-062: Approval of a Concept Plan for Farmstead at Piney Woods Low Density Residential Hamlet – 46.709 Acres on the west side of Piney Woods Church Road, between Rico Road and Hutcheson Ferry Road. Passed 5-0 2. Item 21-063: Ordinance to Approve a Special Use Permit for Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions in the RL (Rural) District and for All Other Purposes Related Thereto – property is located at 8700 Wilkerson Mill Road and 0 Johnson Road. First Read Only. No Action will be taken. No action taken. 3. Item 21-064: Resolution declaring six (6) Scott self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as surplus property and donation of surplus property. Passed 5-0 4. Item 21-065: Approve purchase of a 2021 Ford F-150 for the Public Works Department in the amount not to exceed $33,400. Passed 5-0 5. Item 21-066: Consideration to increase the TSLPOST project budget by $13,545 in order to replace the rumble strips along South Fulton Parkway from S.R. 70 to the bridge over the Chattahoochee River. Passed 5-0 6. Item 21-067: Request from Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC for a refund for the Imagine Music Festival alcohol beverage license. Passed 5-0 7. Item 21-068: 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 Mayor and Council Comments Executive Session (None) Adjourn Meeting: The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Town Hall Session
Unfinished Business (None)
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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.
Election Day - Tues., Nov. 2, 7:00 am 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.
City Council Work Session - Thurs., Nov. 4, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Historic Commission Meeting - Mon. Nov. 8, 6:30pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 City Council Meeting - Tues., Nov. 9, 6:00 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Parks Commission Meeting - Tues., Nov. 16, 6:00pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268 Planning Comission Meeting - Thurs., Nov. 18, 6:30 pm City Hall - 6505 Rico Road, Chatt Hills, GA 30268
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. 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
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