Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - April 11, 2024

City snags Masonic Lodge through eminent domain

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Masonic Hall, a building constructed around 1859 in the Roswell Historic District, may be coming down following the City Council’s vote to exercise eminent domain April 8.

The 5-1 vote also includes the adjacent property at 1056 Alpharetta St. and is intended to secure land for the city’s future public parking deck and connective walkways. Councilwoman Sarah Beeson cast the dissenting vote.

Eminent domain, generally, is the taking of a property for fair market value for redevelopment purposes toward public use.

Before the decision, Roswell Historical Society President Judy Meer pleaded with the council to reconsider.

“We need a parking deck — there’s no doubt about that,” Meer said. “But, that building should be saved as part of that project and could be really a jewel right there with all the new construction coming up around it.”

Appen Media could not confirm whether the Masonic Hall would be preserved as of press time.

Masonic Lodge history

Meer sent information about the Masonic Hall to councilmembers, informing them of its historic value in a document written by former Roswell Planner Julie Martin.

According to the document, the Greek Revival structure served as the first permanent building for the Methodist Church in Roswell, built on land donated by Barrington King. It was taken over by Masonic Lodge No. 165 in 1952 when the building was likely renovated to its current stucco appearance.

For more than 90 years, the property had been landmarked and designated as historically important by federal, regional and local authorities, the document says.

The building is not labeled as a “Landmark House” in the city’s “Historic District Master Plan” from 2019.

But, according to Martin’s document, it was included on a list of historic structures as part of a 1973 report, an effort led

Lamprecht named champion at Georgia Cup in Alpharetta

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — South African amateur golfer

Christo Lamprecht was named 2024 Georgia Cup champion at the Golf Club of Georgia April 7.

Reigning British amateur champion Lamprecht faced off against U.S. amateur champion Nick Dunlap in an 18-hole match play event.

This year, Dunlap became a professional player for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, marking the first time a professional

Homeless count trends down in Fulton County

► PAGE 4

faced an amateur for the Georgia Cup.

Lamprecht and Dunlap were tied at the 18th hole, but Lamprecht secured a one-up win with a 15-foot putt.

Both men were invited to compete at the 2024 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club April 11-14.

— Shelby Israel

BUSINESS

Roswell store sustains city’s historic feel

STEVE NEESE/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Christo Lamprecht and Nick Dunlap present watches they received for competing at the 2024 Georgia Cup at the Golf Club of Georgia April 7. Lamprecht, reigning British amateur champion, won the 2024 Georgia competition.

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

Roswell Police Department mourns passing of K-9 Edo

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Police Department announced the death of Edo, a K-9 officer, on April 5.

During treatment for a sudden

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medical emergency, Edo was diagnosed with an aggressive and widespread form of cancer. Surrounded by the love and affection of his police family, Edo

$8,000 March 28.

The victim reported she received a call with an ID showing Bank of America, and the suspect claimed to be a fraud protection employee.

passed peacefully.

Born March 16, 2019, in Hungary,

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes. See

Roswell factoring company reports fraudulent invoices

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a report of $200,000 in fraudulent invoices April 1 after the vice president of OTR Solutions reported an employee for fraudulent invoices.

OTR Solutions is a factoring company located on Holcomb Woods Parkway.

The vice president of credit and legal affairs at OTR Solutions said the suspect submitted invoices for pickups and deliveries at client companies from March 22-26.

The executive said he received emails from both companies March 30 stating their information was being used fraudulently.

The suspect, Eliezer Matos, generated fake invoices and intercepted emails sent to clients to confirm the fraudulent bill, the executive said. He also said Matos was paid around $200,000 for generating invoices.

The officer’s report gave no other information about the suspect.

The executive said he wants to press charges.

Woman loses $8,500 in alleged bank scam

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman reported someone claiming to be with her bank scammed her of more than

The caller reportedly said the victim’s bank account was compromised, and she had to transfer $8,500 to an Apple Pay card, which she thought she would be able to access.

The victim said after she transferred the funds, there was no money on her Apple Pay card, and she realized she had been scammed.

Apple fraud employees traced the transactions to a Best Buy and an Apple Store in Florida, the report states.

No suspects have been identified.

Police issue warrant over alleged assault

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of a 50-year-old Cumming man April 2 after he allegedly punched a neighbor in the face on Myrle Street.

The victim, a 34-year-old Roswell man, said an argument began after a tree fell from the suspect’s property onto his lot. He said he wanted his neighbor to remove the tree.

The suspect, who owns the tree services business next to the victim’s property, was not at the scene when officers arrived.

The victim said the suspect punched him in the face during a verbal disagreement about the fallen tree.

Two witnesses said the men were about 20 feet apart and engaged in an argument when the business owner approached the victim and struck him in the mouth with a closed fist.

Officers said both witnesses provided

written statements.

Because the suspect had left the scene, an officer called him on his cellphone.

The suspect said the victim threatened him and approached him in an aggressive manner.

The punch was self-defense, the suspect said.

Because the victim’s account was contrary to statements from witnesses, officers said they obtained a warrant for battery on the suspect and posted it on the Georgia Crime Information Center.

Man’s stolen vehicle found at Atlanta home

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta man reported April 1 someone stole his vehicle, which officers later found outside a home in Atlanta.

The victim reported his vehicle was parked in a deck on Summit Place around 7 p.m. March 31, and when he returned the next morning, it was gone. He said the keys may have been inside, and the vehicle may have been unlocked.

The victim tracked the vehicle on his phone, which showed an address on Elmwood Road in Atlanta. The vehicle was reportedly seen on Flock camera footage around 4 a.m. April 1 on two roads in Atlanta.

An Atlanta Police Department officer found the vehicle at the address, and it was unlocked, the report states. The Atlanta officer stayed with the vehicle until the victim arrived to take it home.

The Atlanta officer reported the department receives “a lot of activity” at the address where the vehicle was found, but he did not try to contact anyone inside.

No suspects have been identified.

This chart shows the totals from the Fulton County Point in Time Count between 2022 and 2024. The annual survey is meant to provide a snapshot of homelessness in the area, but it is not comprehensive.

County tracks drop in homeless count

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Fulton County’s annual survey of homelessness counted 312 people this January, a 7 percent decrease from its 2023 total.

Each year, the county solicits volunteers to survey its unsheltered population for the Fulton County Continuum of Care Point in Time Count. The canvassing does not include sites within the city limits of Atlanta.

Our Providers

surveyed through Jan. 30.

In North Fulton, the first shift of volunteers ran from 8 to 11 p.m., followed by a second, smaller shift from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Fulton County Department of Community Development Health and Human Services Division Manager Dawn Butler said 16 volunteers performed the South Fulton count, and 63 volunteers set out in North Fulton.

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Point in Time counts provide lawmakers and funding organizations with information on the number, demographics and characteristics of people experiencing homelessness.

In Fulton County, the Continuum of Care promotes funding and programs to combat homelessness in Fulton cities. Atlanta has its own Continuum of Care.

Data is then sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which uses the results to determine federal funding to address homelessness.

But, the Point in Time Count is not comprehensive. It is meant to provide a “snapshot” of homelessness in the county on two nights of the year. The weather is often cold during the canvassing, and those living in hotels or motels, transitional housing, emergency shelters, hospitals and jails are not tallied in the street count.

The organized count covered the cities of Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Milton, Alpharetta and Roswell Jan. 23. South Fulton County was canvassed Jan. 24, and Mountain Park was

Butler said the 2024 canvassing found 154 unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as 158 who were sheltered.

In the 2023 count, the Continuum of Care recorded 337 homeless individuals. Of that total, 209 were sheltered and 128 unsheltered. In 2022, 273 people were tallied in the homeless count, with 172 sheltered and 101 unsheltered.

Accessibility to affordable housing in Fulton County continues to be a strain. The average cost of a home in the county in 2023 was $508,384, while the median household income was a little more than $87,000.

North Fulton cities like Alpharetta and Roswell have restrictions on the amount of apartments they allow as a percentage of overall housing.

In 2022, the Roswell City Council passed a Unified Development Code amendment that banned the construction of new standalone apartments, and in its 2040 comprehensive plan, Alpharetta aims for apartments to make up 35 percent

See COUNT, Page 22

GARAGE SALES

See more garage sales in the classifieds

ROSWELL - HORSESHOE BEND NEIGHBORHOOD, Huge multi home sale!

Saturday 4/13, 8am-2pm. Holcomb Bridge Road, 3 miles east of GA-400. Info & maps at: www.HorseshoeBendGarageSale.com. Organized by Mitch Falkin, RE/MAX Around Atlanta 770-330-2374

SOUTH FORSYTH/SUWANEE, Dig for treasures in Olde Atlanta Club in COMMUNITY-WIDE SALE! 5750 Olde Atlanta Parkway 30024. Saturday 4/20, 8am-1pm. Children’s clothes and toys, collectibles, sports equipment, electronics, household, furniture!

ESTATE SALE (ALPHARETTA), collectibles, antiques, pictures and tools

Fri-Sun 4/12-4/14 10-4; 337 Lynne Circle, Alpharetta 30009

DEADLINE

To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday.

Call 770-442-3278 or email classifieds@appenmediagroup.com

VISUALIZATION BY DIONNA WILLIAMS/APPEN MEDIA

PLANT SALE AND MORE!

Saturday, April 20

• 9am–3pm

The Grove @ Wills Park

• 175 Roswell Street

Free parking and shuttle from the Amana Academy parking lot

Brought to you by THE NORTH FULTON MASTER GARDENERS in partnership with Georgia Native Plant Society & the Alpharetta Community AG Program

Educational speakers, Fleatique, Children’s activities, Plant Vendors, Food Vendors, and Master Gardeners to answer your gardening questions.

For more information: www.nfmg.net/garden-faire

The popular North Fulton Master Gardeners Pass-along Plant Sale will feature more than 2000 beautiful plantings suitable for sun and shade.

The North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society will have a selection of around 2000 native perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees.

The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program will have around 5000 unique varieties of organic, heirloom, and non-GMO plants, grown from seed at Old Rucker Farm.

Bringing Thai Street Food to Alpharetta

Come experience multi-award winning, traditional Thai fare with over 25 years of experience. Dine-in, take-out, delivery and catering.

Tues. – Sun. | 875 N Main St | Suite 301 | Alpharetta, GA 30009 770-864-5651 www.mthaistreetfood.com

One

CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED

This rendering by Play by Design shows plans for the new Wacky World at Wills Park, set to open in October. Alpharetta is hosting a farewell celebration for the original playground at 2 p.m. April 28.

Alpharetta sets farewell party for Wacky World playground

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta will host a farewell party April 28 for the beloved Wacky World playground at Wills Park, which is set to be reconstructed this fall.

The 2 p.m. celebration will include food trucks, games, music and a chance to claim one of the original pickets from the existing structure.

Plans for the replacement playground will also be presented, and guests are invited to play and take final photos with the original Wacky World.

The original wood playground at Wills Park was built by more than 2,600 volunteers over six days in 1997. The 1-acre playground will be replaced this year with a new structure designed by children and built by volunteers.

The new playground will be roughly 18,000 square feet and include

features requested by Alpharetta students, who submitted their dream designs on drawing forms. Some amenities will include a tower, obstacle course, racing slides and zipline.

Made with a lumber alternative to mimic the original look and feel, the new Wacky World will also be ADA compliant and feature adaptive equipment.

The Wacky World rebuild is funded through the city’s 2021 parks bond referendum, which allocated $4 million for work at Wills Park, as well as sponsorships and donations.

Wacky World is set to reopen this October. The celebration will be rescheduled to May 5 in case of inclement weather. Updates can be found @WackyWorldPlayground on Facebook and Instagram.

— Shelby Israel

Appen Media Listening Tour scheduled for Forsyth County

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Staff reporters with Appen Media will be all ears at its open forum at Cherry Street Brewing in Forsyth County April 18.

The forum provides visitors the chance to offer suggestions and feedback on coverage.

Beginning at 4 p.m., staff will be on-hand for around an hour or so for one-on-one conversations and a Q&A session.

Schedule:

May 16 – Six Bridges Brewing, Milton

June 20 – July Moon Bakery and Café, Alpharetta

July 18 – Pontoon Brewing Company, Sandy Springs

All stops are open to the public and free to attend.

An RSVP is not required but appreciated. Visit appenmedia.com/ join to let us know you are coming.

This is the fourth stop on the newsroom’s “Listening Tour,” a seven-month series touching base in each of Appen Media’s coverage areas. So far, staff have made rounds in Milton, Dunwoody, Roswell and Johns Creek, gaining valuable insight from residents on how to strengthen reporting.

North Fulton area charity plans pickleball tourney

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities is hosting its first pickleball tournament at the North Park Tennis and Pickleball Center at 9 a.m. April 27-28.

The tournament is a partnership between the Roswell-based nonprofit and the City of Alpharetta. Proceeds will support financial stability and easing hardship for North Fulton families in need.

The first day of the tournament will feature mens and womens doubles, and April 28 will be reserved for mixed doubles.

Entry is priced at $45, and participants can pay an additional $15 for the second day. Registration is available at nfcchelp.org/pickleball.

“Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport,

and we are excited to offer our state-ofthe-art pickleball courts at North Park for this tournament,” Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Director Morgan Rodgers said. “We hope this event not only promotes healthy and active lifestyles but also raises funds for local families in need.”

NFCC Community Events Manager Janet Dahlstrom said the group is excited to partner with Alpharetta for

the tournament, which will support vulnerable families with education, clothing, food, emergency financial aid and seasonal assistance.

Sponsorship opportunities between $1,000 and $5,000 are also available. Those interested can email Dahlstrom at jdahlstrom@nfcchelp.org.

— Shelby Israel

Spring Home, Garden Tour to benefit Roswell nonprofit

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Woman’s Club will host a Spring Home and Garden Tour in the downtown Roswell historic district from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20.

The fundraiser will showcase interior design and landscaping inspiration at four homes. Proceeds from the tour will benefit North Fulton County charities and education.

Since 1997, the nonprofit has donated more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships.

“Our club is an all-volunteer

nonprofit organization where members perform hands-on projects and volunteer fundraising events,” Roswell Woman’s Club President Sherry Broadway said. “I invite you to support the community by purchasing tickets to the tour, becoming a sponsor or making a donation to Roswell Woman’s Club.”

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at roswellwomansclub. org under the Spring Home and Garden Tour tab.

— Shelby Israel

City of Roswell plans the annual Tillman Honor Run

ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell will host the Tillman Honor Run, a nationwide event that honors the legacy and impact of Army Ranger Pat Tillman on April 13.

The run is the only one in Georgia. Tillman, an Arizona State University graduate, joined the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals in 1998 and was a successful player until he put his football career

Lease

on hold after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Tillman joined the U.S. Army in July 2002 and was killed in April 2004 by friendly fire.

Tillman Honor Runs are hosted

by Arizona State University Alumni chapters and clubs across the country in support of the Pat Tillman

See TILLMAN, Page 18

We have good variety for everybody with all the consignment items, antiques, collectibles and artwork.

Movie studios and model trains keep store running

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — With classic rock playing in the background and Loco the golden retriever hanging out with customers, 425 Market Place embodies the historic Roswell feel.

It only took Allison Kummerfeldt of Peachtree Corners a few minutes to find a piece of uranium glass she was looking for. Sometimes called Vaseline glass for its pale yellowish-green color, uranium glass fell out of widespread use during the Cold War.

Kummerfeldt said there are only so many places in Metro Atlanta with such treasures available for purchase.

Because it glows under ultraviolet light, the glass is sought after today.

With around 7,000 square feet of retail space filled with collectibles, antiques, jewelry and consignments, Steve Funsten and Greg Lundy have something for everyone.

Lundy warned, because the pieces contain radioactive materials, do not breath in if your uranium glass breaks.

The store at 425 Market Place has three components: dealers who have rented booths and have a permanent presence; artists who re-create old things into new treasures; and consignors who sell items because they are redecorating or no longer have a need for the item.

Blue Ox Trains, which handles over 50 percent of the business at the store, took over half of the first floor after Funsten purchased the business in 2016.

The remainder of the first floor and upstairs features various booths where customers can find anything from a

A look from the parking lot at 425 Market Place shows the loft-style building and active tenants. Steve Funsten said he took over the location in 2016 after a local businessman parted ways with the location.

March 1918 picture of the Atlanta Police Department’s Bicycle Division to handpainted porcelain vases of unknown origins.

Model trains are big

Funsten started his journey at 425 Market Place as a vendor with one case at the front of the store with just a few model trains on display.

“Then things spread, and I got a little bit more space and a little bit more space,” Funsten said.

Located in historic Roswell, 425 Market Place is housed in a lodgelooking building that began life as the retail store, Call of the Wild. Built by

the Watford family some 60 years ago, it served the needs of area outdoorsman until it closed in 2005.

Funsten said a Woodstock resident, Jerry Blackledge, took over operations from the Watfords for a few years after the couple took a step back from the business.

Chris and Julia Watford still own the building and lease out space to Funsten and Lundy. Since the pair took over in 2016, Anna Lee’s Café and Swiss Watch & Clock Shop have moved into separated retail space in the wings of the lodge.

“I basically bought over the whole business, instead of just being a vendor here with the trains,” Funsten said.

From left, Greg Lundy and Steve Funsten, operating 425 Market Place since 2016, stand with Loco the golden retriever in front of a model train layout. Funsten said the name of his golden retriever is short for locomotive, referencing the model trains sold at the consignment and antiques store.

Today, half of the first floor of the antique shop is dedicated to building model railroads and educating customers along their own journey through the complexities of the miniature train hobby.

Blue Ox Trains, owned and operated by Funsten, draws model train enthusiasts from around the Southeast for the store’s extensive selection of HO and N scale locomotives, rolling stock, structures and scenery.

The HO scale, or 3.5 millimeters to 1 foot, is the most popular modeling proportion worldwide.

PHOTOS BY HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

STEVE FUNSTEN, business owner, 425 Market Place

It’s allergy season in Atlanta!

Brought to you by – Comprehensive Internal Medicine

What are allergies?

Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign particle, usually a protein. These proteins can come from pet dander, molds, pollens, or from trees and grasses. If you develop an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) reacts to it and the allergic reaction creates allergy symptoms.

What is an allergic reaction?

An allergic reaction is the way your body responds to an allergen, usually a protein.

You may feel itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, sinus or ear fullness, a hoarse voice, a scratchy throat, or

trouble breathing. You may even develop a skin rash.

These symptoms can be treated with over the counter or prescription allergy medication or immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be tailored specifically for you.

What is allergy testing?

To perform allergy testing, small pinpricks or scratches are made in the skin and a very small amount of allergen is placed to test your body’s response. If you react to the allergen, we have identified a trigger that is causing your allergy symptoms.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a treatment used to desensitize your body to the allergy trigger.

In this treatment, the results of your allergy testing are used to create a very personalized formula of medicine that is used to slowly treat your immune system in a way that stops reacting to your allergy trigger. Immunotherapy medicine is given by injection (allergy shots) and is administered twice weekly. The first injection is given in the doctor’s office.

Comprehensive Internal Medicine uses an advanced formulation and instruction that allows you to then give the injections at home. This saves the twice-weekly visits to the doctor’s office. You return to Comprehensive Internal Medicine every 6 weeks to progress the therapy and at the end of one year, allergy testing is repeated. Often, a second year of treatment is advised, following which, most allergies are cured.

Comprehensive Internal Medicine has been serving the Alpharetta community for 20 years, celebrating this milestone anniversary in 2023.

The medical practice offers a very comfortable environment and serves a medical home where patients are seen for their wellness examinations (checkups) and for the management of multiple medical problems. Same-day appointments are always available. We welcome new patients, take most insurance plans and discounts for self-pay patients.

Dr. Obiora has a special interest in managing medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He also specializes in diabetes prevention and weight loss.

In addition, he brings expertise in allergy treatment and managing allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and asthma, and can schedule allergy testing to determine the best way to treat allergy symptoms.

Jacqueline T. Pearson, M.D., M.S. Anju Bhushan, M.D. Arezou Fatemi, M.D. Ryan Bozof, M.D. Shima Mansouri, P.A.-C Laurae Carpenetti, M.D.

Carol Hector, M.D. Sumera Pervaiz, M.D. Sudeshna Nandi, M.D. Petula Gunn, APRN

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Jeffrey Obiora, M.D.

ISTOCK

Why do some tumors track along nerves?

Brought

–

Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

At a recent conference, an outstanding lecture by Dr. Scott Lester of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, provided insight into the question of why tumors exhibit “perineural invasion” – the behavior of tumors wrapping around and travelling along nerves. The answer is another example of how nature and biology never cease to surprise.

In medical school, one of my favorite professors loved to say, “50% of what you are going to learn during these four years will ultimately be proved wrong.” As I sat in my hard wooden chair taking notes on apparently error-ridden knowledge, I hoped that the 50% that was misinformation was at least not the half that mattered.

As it turns out, one of the pieces of misinformation apparently concerned perineural invasion. In medical school, I was taught that some tumors track along nerves because nerves are convenient highways to other parts of the body. This was the “path of least resistance idea.” Professors also posited that some of the vessels and lymphatics running along with the nerve are an additional reason for tumor growth along nerves – essentially the idea that tumors spreading along nerves is really just tumors spreading along the surrounding lymphatics and blood vessels – “business as usual.”

Several recent studies presented by Dr. Lester have provided data that sheds new light on this subject:

In one experiment, scientists placed a nerve next to but well apart from a tumor growing in a petri dish. The tumor extended a strand of cells in the direction of the nerve and grew toward the nerve. This challenges the idea that perineural tumor growth in patients is simply cancer extension along nerves already touching a tumor. Then, the scientists tested proteins found in the nerve and found that the entire nerve did not have to be present in the dish to attract tumor growth. When scientists put a small amount of a nerve protein called GDNF (glial derived neurotrophic factor) in the dish, the tumor grew towards the GDNF. Apparently, proteins in the nerve attract tumor growth. So nerves are not just highways: some tumors seek out nerves by growing towards proteins that nerves produce.

In another experiment, scientists placed pancreatic cancer cells next to the sciatic nerve inside of a live rat. Predictably, the cancer grew and invaded the sciatic nerve. The muscles relying on the sciatic nerve were unable to function which caused partial paralysis. However, when the scientists delivered radiation to the rat’s sciatic nerve

BEFORE implanting the pancreatic cancer, the tumor grew but paralysis did not occur upon tumor implantation against the nerve. Nerves that had received radiation produced less GDNF.

We have long thought of radiation as primarily working by killing cancerous cells because radiation is known to cause breaks in cancer cell DNA resulting in cell death. But these studies led Dr. Lester, a radiation oncologist, to ask if radiation therapy’s effect on healthy tissue is just as important to its success as its effect on cancer cells themselves. Perhaps in some cases, radiation’s effect on growth factors in healthy nerve tissue is critical to preventing cancer recurrence.

As many questions as answers are raised by these studies. Will we one day have medicines that treat perineural tumors by inhibiting neurotrophic factors? For tumors that do not track along nerves but that invade muscle, bone or other tissue, will medicines increasingly target growth factors in these tissues to prevent spread? Already, medicine that targets “vascular endothelial growth factor” is being used to treat certain cancers. Perhaps one day a local injection of a medicine that blocks neurotrophic factors will be used to help treat perineural tumors.

As a Mohs surgeon, I took interest in these studies because many skin cancers track along nerves and because identifying perineural invasion under the microscope is an important part of my job. When I find significant perineural invasion, radiation therapy after surgery is an option I discuss. I hope that I might one day be able to offer a targeted pill or injection as an alternative to radiation.

However, I thought that these studies are of broad general interest because they are an intriguing example of how the obvious or intuitive answer so often is not the correct answer when biology is involved. Tumor growing along nerves is not just a case of taking the path of least resistance. So much of what we assume or are taught does not turn out to be the whole story. Nature is always more complex than we imagine, and new discoveries provide opportunities for medical advancement.

If you or a loved one struggles with skin cancer or any dermatologic complaint, consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C are delighted to help you achieve your skin health goals. Dr. Taylor is a Harvard-graduate, a board certified dermatologist and vein care expert, and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. Kathryn Filipek has greater than 15 years of dermatology experience with expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology including fillers, Botox®, and sclerotherapy.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

to you by

Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier

Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays

Sunscreen and sun protection play a pivotal role in shielding our skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays not only can lead to a painful sunburn, but also can contribute to premature aging and the formation of skin cancer.

Selecting the right sunscreen is crucial for sun protection. The following specifications are important to consider when selecting a sunscreen:

1. Broad Spectrum means coverage of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays contribute to premature aging and skin cancer, whereas UVB rays contribute to sunburn. The best sunscreens will protect against both UVA and UVB.

2. SPF (Sun protection factor) indicates the level of protection against UVB rays. Select a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 which blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Higher SPF offer more protection, but no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s rays.

3. Water Resistance is important if

you will be swimming or sweating. No sunscreen is waterproof, so reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours is important.

4. Chemical versus Physical Sunscreen: Chemical Sunscreens contain ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Physical Sunscreen contain ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the harmful UV rays whereas the physical sunscreens create a physical barrier and block the UV rays from the skin. Whether you use physical or chemical sunscreens the most important thing is to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours.

Is Your Skin Summer Ready?

How to build your child’s self-esteem

creates a non-judgmental environment where they feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

A child’s self-esteem begins with a positive self-identity, which is critical for building a foundation for confidence, happiness, and emotional well-being. When children have a positive self-identity, they can navigate through life with a sense of purpose and feel like they belong. These children gain confidence and can persevere when facing challenges in school and all areas of their lives. A strong sense of selfidentity and self-worth also drives children to confidently pursue their passions without giving into self-doubt, which can hinder personal and academic growth. The mission for parents and mental health professionals is to help nurture and develop a child’s positive self-identity; so they can reach their full potential and lead meaningful and productive lives.

The How and Whys:

Step 1: Encourage your child to embrace their unique qualities (i.e., race, culture, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, talents, etc.). By embracing what makes them unique, children can fully appreciate themselves and feel a sense of inclusion.

Step 2: Celebrate your child’s accomplishments often, using positive affirmations. Their accomplishments are a great way to increase their sense of selfworth and ensure that they feel valued.

Step 3: Teach your child healthy coping skills (i.e., mindfulness, deep breathing, positive self-talk, guided imagery, etc.). These skills provide the foundation for children to manage their stress levels and regulate their emotions.

Step 4: Expose your child to various extracurricular activities. These activities encourage children to find opportunities to be successful and build self-confidence and self-esteem.

Step 5: Provide your child with a safe and supportive environment. Ensuring that your child feels safe and supportive

Step 6: Help your child to develop healthy relationships with their peers and family members by utilizing assertive communication skills and reinforcing the use of “I” statements. Providing children with appropriate communication skills provides them with the foundation to stand up for their own needs and wants, while also considering the needs and wants of others.

Step 7: Teach your children the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting strategy by encouraging them to set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goals for themselves. This strategy provides children with the skills needed to improve their confidence and self-esteem, after achieving success.

Step 8: Teach your child to use a strength-based approach to problemsolving. Reminding children to focus on their strengths and achievements rather than dwelling on their self-perceived limitations which can hinder their overall growth and development.

Step 9: Help your child to recognize their negative thoughts and inner dialogue. Once recognized, children can be encouraged to replace negative self-talk with their own positive affirmations (i.e., reading scriptures, inspirational quotes, positive messages, etc.) aloud.

Step 10: Provide your child with positive modeling of self-esteem and expose them to positive mentors. This exposure enables children to demonstrate how to meet challenges with confidence and resilience.

The Summit is offering a wide range of summer groups for elementary, middle, and high school students. Registration closes on May 10th. Financial assistance is available, and groups are FREE for students that attend any of our partner schools. Visit our website at summitcounseling.org to learn about summer groups, our school partnerships, and other services available for children, teens, and adults.

678.893.5300

It’s time for spring cleaning

the smile of your dreams.

I don’t know about you, but I can feel it. I can see everything starting to bloom. Everything is getting greener. These last two weeks the weather has warmed up. I can finally start to spend more time outside. Spring is coming! It’s time to get ready. It’s time to get in shape! I can’t wait to walk and run and spend more time outside. It’s time for Spring Cleaning! Do you need a spring dental cleaning or maybe a Smile Tuneup?

This year, let’s eat healthy, exercise, and address our health proactively and preventively. This includes a visit to the dentist to address those problems that you know are getting worse and to prevent future problems.

• Restoring Your Smile – Repairing your teeth allows you to keep your teeth for a lifetime and look and feel your best.

• Cosmetic Dentistry – It’s more than just Whiter Teeth. Uneven and chipped teeth can be reshaped painlessly. You can make your smile healthy and vibrant again and create

• Dental Implants – Replacing missing teeth allows you to eat your favorite healthy foods again, smile without fear, and provides support to your face to avoid looking older.

• Invisalign – The metal-free way to straighten your teeth, improve our bite, and have an attractive smile that everyone notices.

• Preventive Tooth Cleaning –Routine cleanings prevent problems and keep your teeth healthy, white, and attractive.

• Don’t Forget that these things can be accomplished comfortably while you rest… with Sedation Dentistry!

“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic

A healthy mouth is part of a healthy body. Our wish for you is that you look and feel your best in 2024!

Dr. Bradley Hepler, and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in cosmetic dentistry.

Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover which of these options is best

for you, please call us at 770-992-2236. Dr. Hepler is highly trained and certified to provide you with the latest and best techniques to allow you to achieve your cosmetic and restorative goals.

Is there a safe amount to consume?

Our love affair with booze goes back many generations. Most of us like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage from time to time. We are all aware of the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption, but surprisingly, most of us don’t think about alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.

There is a consensus among scientific researchers that alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing multiple types of cancer, including cancer of the head and neck, esophagus, breast, colon, liver, pancreas, and prostate. The more alcohol you consume, the higher your risk of getting cancer.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends not to drink alcohol at all, but if you do, limit it to two drinks for men and one drink for women each day. One drink equals 12 fluid ounces of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces of hard liquor.

It is also important to note that alcohol’s cancer-causing effect is magnified by smoking tobacco. Studies have shown that people who use both alcohol and tobacco have a greater risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus compared to those who use either alcohol or tobacco alone.

If you choose to consume alcohol, please do so responsibly!

Brought to you by - Jonathan Stegall, MD

Why do I get so many Cavities?!

At Roswell Dental Care, we take pride in our ability to educate our patients about their oral health. One question we frequently hear from our patients, “Why do I get so many cavities? I brush my teeth every day!” We understand the frustration that comes from putting the work in to maintain your teeth and still ending up with cavities, we are here to help break those reasons down for you.

1. How deep your grooves are: How your teeth are shaped, including the grooves of your teeth, are inherited. These grooves are too small for your toothbrush bristles to get in and clean properly. Some teeth have deeper grooves, which increases the risk of biting surface cavities. We can prevent these types by placing sealants (plastic) over the grooves of the teeth.

2. Your oral bacteria:

Did you know, you inherit the genetic layout of your oral bacteria from your mom? The types of oral bacteria can impact your oral health, including your likelihood of cavities and developing periodontal disease. Staying on a cleaning schedule with your dental hygienist will help reduce the number of bacteria you have in your mouth.

3. Your frequency of sugar intake: Your habits also play a significant role in your oral health. Your frequency of sugar intake has a direct tie into the frequency of the occurrence of cavities. The more times you consume sugar, the more opportunities for cavities to take hold.

4. Your flossing habits: Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from the sides of your teeth, so not flossing on a consistent basis increases your risk of developing cavities between your teeth.

5. Your medications: When you eat or drink anything other than water, the pH of your mouth becomes acidic. Saliva’s job is to neutralize the acidic environment. Some medications cause xerostomia (or dry mouth). If your saliva is reduced or becomes thicker, your teeth have an increased risk of developing decay, especially along the gumline. Products containing xylitol are “mouth wetters,” and xylitol prevents bacteria from adhering to tooth structure, helping to prevent the effects of a dry mouth.

The above reasons are just a few of the many complex factors that go into why cavities develop. As dental professionals, we strive to keep our patients educated in their oral hygiene. Good or bad oral hygiene plays a role in overall health, and we are here to get your oral health in excellent condition so that your overall health can be too. Drs. Hood and Remaley at Roswell Dental Care understand and customize treatment for each person. We assure you will feel confident in the solution you choose before beginning any treatment. For enhanced comfort, we offer FREE nitrous oxide. You can rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding on many levels. Give our office a call at 770.998.6736, or visit us at www. roswelldentalcare.com, to begin your journey to happy and pain-free oral healthcare!

Expert treatment for head and neck cancers at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center

Brought to you by - Dr. Kia Jones, Wellstar Ear Nose & Throat Physician

April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. So, what are head and neck cancers?

The term includes several different types of malignant tumors affecting parts of the head and neck, including the nose and sinus cavities, mouth, throat, voice box and salivary glands. Head and neck cancers typically involve the mucosa, or the tissues lining these areas, and represent about 4% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.

Well-known risk factors for the development of head and neck cancers include heavy alcohol and tobacco use, especially if someone uses alcohol and tobacco together. Men are three times

more likely to be diagnosed with oral and throat cancer compared to women, according to the American Cancer Society.

An additional risk factor is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is related to the development of oropharyngeal cancer specifically. The oropharynx is the midsection of the throat and includes the tonsils and the root of the tongue or tongue base where many of these tumors originate. HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is more prevalent now than HPV-related cervical cancer in women. HPVrelated oropharyngeal cancer has been increasing in the United States over the last three to four decades, while the incidence of tobacco and alcohol-related tumors has been declining. More than 22,500 people are diagnosed with HPVrelated oropharyngeal cancer each year. You can act against these risk factors by decreasing tobacco and alcohol use and getting the HPV vaccine.

Treating head and neck cancers

If you are diagnosed with cancer, Wellstar provides expert care here in North Fulton. Oropharyngeal cancers are typically treated with surgery (with or without radiation therapy) or radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy) at equivalent cure rates. Goals of treatment are to remove the cancer, prevent its return and limit side effects.

Wellstar providers work with patients to tailor care to their needs—based on effectiveness of the treatment, tumor location and stage, accessibility of the tumor to a surgical approach, risk of side effects and patient choice.

At Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, the multidisciplinary head and neck cancers tumor board takes each of these factors into consideration while selecting the most appropriate treatment regimen for every individual patient.

At the Head and Neck STAT Clinic, the patient can meet with the entire

treatment team in a single visit during treatment planning and may start treatment sooner.

Transoral robotic surgery, offered at Wellstar North Fulton, has changed the way oropharyngeal cancers are treated surgically. In this procedure, the surgeon accesses the cancer by passing tools through the mouth rather than making an incision. For those patients with early-stage tumors and limited disease in the neck, the surgery offers the patient a cure at a single intervention without the need for tracheostomy or abdominal feeding tube, faster return to taking food orally, improved outcomes and faster recovery. This is preferred over traditional surgical methods, which required splitting the jaw and/or the tongue or gaining access to the throat via neck incision.

Learn more about cancer care at Wellstar North Fulton at wellstar.org/ northfultoncancercare.

JONES

ISTOCK

A network of advanced cancer specialists means more holistic care for you.

At Wellstar, you’ll find a multidisciplinary team of cancer care experts built around your needs and dedicated to comprehensive, personalized treatment.

We are a leader in cancer care, embracing innovation to improve patient outcomes. Our surgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures—providing patients with smoother recoveries and less pain. We also support patients during their cancer journeys with STAT Clinics, which bring cancer care providers together and put people at the center of their treatment. With this multidisciplinary approach, patients start care sooner, optimizing treatment and outcomes.wellstar.org/cancercare

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The HO scale’s middle-of-the-road status provides a balance between the detail of larger model railroads and the smaller space requirements for indoor tracks.

“We do a lot of model train sales,” Funsten said. “We have good variety for everybody with all the consignment items, antiques, collectibles and artwork.”

Funsten said he knows why people from Tennessee and south Georgia drive to his shop.

“In a lot of places, there are not any train stores left,” Funsten. “They’re all closed down and everything has gone online, that’s kinda why I started the business.”

A lot of nearby North Fulton residents, like a New Jersey woman and her 3-year-old Roswell grandson, just like to come in to see the model railroading displays.

“Some folks like to test run things and get advice,” Funsten said. “That is the biggest thing, you order something online, and you can’t get advice.”

It should be no surprise that Funsten named his golden retriever Loco, short for locomotive.

“He’s come to work ever since he was 8 weeks old,” he said. “He’s almost 6 now and has never missed a day of work.”

Windfall from Hollywood

Besides Funsten’s Blue Ox Trains and his golden retriever, 425 Market Place also draws high-profile customers to peruse its antiques and one-of-a-kind treasurers.

“We get a good bit of movie set designers,” Funsten said. “All the movies going on around Atlanta… buyers will come in here and get the most off-thewall stuff.”

He said you can’t predict what set designers are looking for. Typically trying to date a scene, some film productions buy rotary dial phones, while others need a kitchen appliance from the 1960s.

“We still have a few dealers, so we make consignment space available if someone wants to rent a booth,” Funsten

said. “If we’ve got an empty booth, we will just fill it with consignment items from individuals.”

The result is an array of treasures you can’t find anywhere else.

Lundy, who works the front register and manages consignments, said some customers come in for baseball cards.

“People collect different things, so it will be random,” Lundy said. “Fortunately for us, we also get the set designers in, so we have provided materials for some of the Netflix shows and some movies.”

He said a production crew came in last week looking for items to fill a 1980s home. Because people rarely have contemporary home décor, the set designers wanted antiques from the 1960s and 1970s.

“They will buy here, as opposed to going out and buying new,” Lundy said. “Because they can find something they like at a fraction of the price.”

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Edo was a Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix who joined the Roswell Police Department in August 2020 as the beloved partner to Officer Peter MacDonald.

Trained as a dual-purpose K-9, Edo was proficient in narcotics

Edo: EDO

detection, criminal apprehension, tracking, building searches and evidence recovery.

Alongside MacDonald, Edo is said to have served the Roswell community courageously and unwaveringly and will be deeply missed.

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Foundation, which was started by friends and family after Tillman’s death. The cost to register online is $42, and the all-ages, 4.2-mile running and walking route will kick off at Riverside Park at 8 a.m. The No. 42 represents Tillman’s jersey number as an Arizona

State University Sun Devil football player.

All participants will receive a T-shirt and a race medal. Registration funds go to the foundation’s Tillman Scholars program, which provides education opportunities to active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses.

Participants can register at runsignup.com/Race/AZ/Tempe/ PatsRunHonorRuns.

From left, Greg Lundy rings up a customer, Peachtree Corners resident Allison Kummerfeldt, April 2 at 425 Market Place. Lundy said some customers come into the store for very specific items, like the uranium glass that Kummerfeldt bought.

PHOTOS BY HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

A look from the staircase inside of 425 Market Place April 2 shows jewelry, painting and antiques on display.

What is it that makes me so special?

Well, first of all I’m a puppy, but besides that have you noticed the little beauty marks above my eyes? No other puppy is as unique as me. My brother Porter and I are enjoying our other canine friends here, but I really would rather be at home with you playing, enjoying belly rubs and treats. Want to go for a walk? Come meet me. I have puppy kisses waiting for you! All

The Pippin Project closes digital divide

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — When students were forced to learn remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Yvonne David realized that some students would lose what has become necessary to succeed in the world — computers.

While her two sons used schoolissued devices, she and her husband worked from home on their computers. But, in other households, she knew the situation was more precarious.

“It became so crystal clear to me that this is something that maybe we can do something about,” David said.

So, David founded The Pippin Project, a nonprofit that refurbishes old computers and gifts them to those who can’t otherwise afford them — even in Johns Creek, an affluent city with a median household income of more than $153,000, according to 2022 U.S. Census data.

After forming connections with school social workers, David has provided around two dozen computers to students at Chattahoochee High School each year since 2021 and close to 30 to students at Decatur High School in her first year.

David is originally from the Netherlands, where she earned her master’s degree in sociology of developing nations. The education system is much different there, she said, with cheaper tuition and easier inroads to obtain an advanced degree.

A formative experience for David was conducting her thesis research in Trinidad and Tobago. The country has a stable economy due to its oil and gas production, but working through its poorer communities was an eye opener for David.

“That was the first time that I was face to face with it, because in the Netherlands, I wasn’t confronted,” said David, who also serves on the board for The Netherland-America Foundation chapter in Atlanta.

The Pippin Project doesn’t just serve senior graduates, why David has opted out of grant funding — she also provides devices to students who have dropped out. She said grants often require that students seek at least an associate degree, though most require students to seek a bachelor’s.

“I don’t know the circumstances,” David said. “I know that, at the moment, there are two kids who live in a car. So, how am I going to tell them that you have to go to school?”

YVONNE DAVID/PROVIDED Yvonne David is the founder of The Pippin Project, a nonprofit that provides computers to people who cannot afford them, including high school students and individuals who have been incarcerated.

To donate to The Pippin Project, visit thepippinproject.org.

Early on, computers were partially collected from technology drives that David would host in collaboration with the Alpharetta-based nonprofit Green Cell. She also worked with HaulDash and eCloud Recycle for the recycling events.

But, because of the high cost associated with the process, the last recycling event was held in November 2022, and David now buys refurbished computers outright.

From the outset of The Pippin Project, David helped another demographic — people who had been incarcerated, through partnerships with the Georgia Justice Project, which serves anyone affected by the justice system including those on probation or awaiting trial, and the Georgia Innocence Project, a nonprofit focusing on people who have been exonerated.

David also works with The Braille Transcribing program out of the Emanuel Women’s Facility, which teaches offenders how to translate textbooks for visually impaired K-12 students. The Pippin Project comes in when they are released into the halfway house and need their own equipment to continue working.

Returning to her previous line of work, David also provides professional development training. Right now, she is developing a curriculum for the Georgia Innocence Project alongside a professor of entrepreneurship and job training, who is based in New York.

GrillFest is a celebration of all of our favorite foods that can be prepared on the grill, smoker, or flattop griddle. Guests will enjoy unlimited samples of juicy burgers, smoked BBQ, and an array of grilled meats from wings to steaks. Don’t worry veggie lovers—we’ve got you covered, too, as our restaurant partners and chefs will also have your

Union Hill Park - Alpharetta, Georgia

Saturday, April 20th 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

General Admission: $65

favorites fired up on the grill. GrillFest will include craft beer and craft cocktails, along with bourbon and tequila tastings from our spirits partners. Enjoy live entertainment all day and visit with our vendor sponsors just in time for summer—think outdoor living, summer fun, and grills and gadgets for the outdoor chef.

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of its housing stock, though that is not a rigid number.

Founded in 2014, the North Fulton Improvement Network is a community think tank that seeks public and private solutions to address issues such as workforce housing, transportation, employment and food insecurity.

and into different counties could reflect housing costs.

If essential workers move to counties that offer more affordable housing, Murphy said they may choose to work in those counties, leaving the original county with a workforce shortage.

“If the workforce, the essential workforce, can’t afford to live in the communities you’re commuting from, then the reason that you bought the house there, the schools or the other amenities, start to diminish because all of a sudden, they can’t find workers,” Murphy said.

Its chairman, Jack Murphy, said rising costs and a lack of supply have contributed to a housing shortage in North Fulton. Over the past five to seven years, he said the network has seen a migration of people in starter salary jobs.

In Fulton County Schools, the homeless population has remained constant, and he said students transferring out of the school system

Murphy said possible solutions for more workforce housing are employerbuilt housing, land trusts and less restrictive zoning.

“Let’s be intentional about making places for early career workforce people — teachers, public safety, nurses — for them to have a place to establish roots in North Fulton,” Murphy said.

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“We try to be very, very careful and mindful, but also very mindful of our ignorance,” David said.

She said a large percentage of those she works with had been in prison for 15 to 20 years and never finished high school, so redefining what “basic” skills are for the group is kept in

focus.

David was reminded of her experience working for a nonprofit in Chicago, where she helped people below the poverty line and those who had been in prison find jobs.

“It always stuck with me because companies don’t hire you because there’s a stigma,” David said, describing common assumptions about people exiting the prison system, like being capable of only lower-level jobs. “... A lot of people have more to offer.”

ILLUSTRATION BY DIONNA WILLIAMS/APPEN MEDIA

The results from the 2024 Fulton County Point in Time Count are out, and numbers show a 7 percent decrease in the county’s homeless population since last year.

YVONNE DAVID/PROVIDED Partners of The Pippin Project stand together after a day of collecting electronics in November 2022, the nonprofit’s last recycling event.

Lodge:

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by the city after its first zoning map was created in 1971.

“The City of Roswell has been protecting historic buildings, and this one is just as important as those others,” Meer said.

East Village controversy

In other action at the meeting, the City Council unanimously approved the final plat for East Village, a mixed-used development on Holcomb Bridge Road at the site of the former Super Target.

The project includes 335 one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments, 74 townhomes and 75,000 square feet of retail.

Councilwoman Lee Hills noted the widespread criticism of the development when it was originally approved in a split vote in June 2019.

At that meeting, Appen Media reported dozens of residents stayed up past midnight to review plans. Several speakers said they wanted a different type of project that could be better integrated into the area or to create a destination place for East Roswell.

At the 2019 meeting, councilmembers said they had received hundreds of emails and phone calls since plans were first introduced earlier that June and that tensions ran so high that police were sent to former Councilwoman Marie Willsey’s house to check on her after receiving reports of online threats. Willsey was one of three to approve it.

“To my friends and to my responsibility in East Roswell, I would have not voted for this,” Hills said, who was not on the council at that time. “...This is not a personal assault to the developer. You’re doing exactly what you’re designed to do, but in respect to the residents here, this is a big deal.”

The final plat had been deferred a number of times to rectify plans.

Councilwoman Christine Hall, who also recalled the intensity of the issue, said the final plat was reworked to include public greenspace, a feature of original plans that was presented to residents.

“To say it’s an unfortunate project for the economic development state of East Roswell is an understatement,” Hall said.

Change to fiscal year

Also on April 8, the City Council approved a resolution to change the city’s fiscal year to match the calendar year. Previously, the fiscal year started July 1.

Councilwoman Beeson said she had not been involved in any discussions about the change and asked for an explanation, acknowledging that the city does not currently have a finance director. Former Finance Director Ryan Luckett resigned last August, the same month former

Purchasing Manager Greg Anderson left the city.

“I do have some concerns about making this change without leadership within that department,” Beeson said.

Mayor Kurt Wilson told Beeson there are more cities whose fiscal years align with the calendar year than there are cities that begin their fiscal years on July 1. Wilson also said it would save taxpayer money “in a whole lot of just very logistical ways.”

Councilwoman Hall clarified, saying a July 1 start makes it more difficult for the city to budget Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department items, one of the city’s largest expenses, as summer is the department’s busiest time of the year. Hall also said the Department of Transportation would be impacted.

Wilson called Director of Transportation Jeff Littlefield to the podium for more explanation after Beeson asked whether cost savings would be onetime or ongoing.

Littlefield said the resurfacing season is from March to November, and because the budget is allocated in July, the money is on hold until January when LMIG, or Local Maintenance and Improvement Grants, come through.

“The earlier we let our resurfacing contracts, usually the cheaper the prices…” Littlefield said.

During a back-and-forth with Beeson, Wilson said the recommendation on the fiscal year change was advised by senior staff and that the city does not often submit “business cases on political items” because the work has already been done and because it isn’t “practical.”

“One of the things that I hope that we achieve as a people and as a governing body is that we reestablish trust and belief in our local government,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he has heard criticism of the lack of transparency but said that if the city were to provide too much information, a “paralysis by analysis” would result.

“If you put enough out there, somebody can always find a reason to pick at something,” Wilson said.

GOOGLE MAPS

The City of Roswell plans to acquire the Masonic Lodge on Ga. 9 through eminent domain.

The end of truth is marching forward

RAY APPEN

I have always studied history; it is one of my passions. I studied it in college, and I study it now. Now I find myself in a disturbing place. Everything tells me that “truth” as we have known it, is dead – or at least rapidly disappearing. That is a problem, a really big problem.

It is not so much that “truth” is disappearing. It is more that our access to it and our ability to disseminate it is diminishing. Why? Because of a number of factors.

Our world is now more connected than it has ever been – like in the history of the world. Ease of communication and access to information via the internet has changed everything. Part of that is

good. Part is very not good.

The very not good aspect of the internet is that, in effect, because we now have access to so much information, the information that is “true” is being diluted; it is mixed in with all other information, including information that is false/not factual/ not accurate/not presented in context.

In addition to this “dilution” problem, there is a compounding factor – a multiplier if you will – with the emergence of artificial intelligence, “AI.” Basically, AI will increasingly make it more difficult for us to judge what is true and what is not. Information will be generated by AI, as directed by those people and organizations who wish to advocate for their own agendas, uploaded to the internet and passed off as “true.” Some of it will be, and some of it won’t be.

AI-generated information reminds me of fusion – the merging of different elements to form another element. So, especially with AI, one can take

two things that are true, add them together; and in some cases, the result is something that is false. So much depends on context.

Increasingly, that AI-generated information will appear to be more and more “true” because that is what AI does. It accesses and processes almost “all information,” and from that universe of data, crafts new “information” that looks more like it must be factual and “the truth.” That is, it is going to get geometrically more difficult for all of us to decide if what we are reading or watching or listening to is “true” – and is in appropriate context.

The magnitude of the “problem” absolutely cannot be underestimated.

“More information” does not necessarily mean better decisions. You would think it should, but it does not – at least those decisions made by humans. We have a limited capacity to process information. Our brains can only deal with a fixed amount. So,

between the internet and AI, we are kind of toast, like sailing ships without rudders – at the mercy of weather we do not control.

Compound the internet with AI and add in “natural selection” – arguably the only true constant in any society –and where do we land? Indeed.

Is it any wonder that “democracy” as a form of government has succeeded as long as it has? A democracy based on the will and knowledge of “the people” – a plebiscite – even now as I write, just seems and feels like a remnant of the past, an aberration, an antique of some sort – certainly not an idea or a concept that is in ascent.

I hope I am wrong.

In the meantime, as this information “problem” plays out, we still have our faith to hopefully keep us on some sort of an even keel, and we will keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to make the best of it like we have always done, no?

Buckle up.

Lemonade Days celebrates 25 years of revitalization

Lemonade Days has been a Dunwoody tradition since 1999. The first event was held as a fundraiser for a campaign to replant trees following the devastating tornado that cut through Dunwoody on April 9, 1998. The Dunwoody Homeowner’s Association, Dunwoody Preservation Trust and Dunwoody Nature Center joined forces to replace trees with the “Replant the Dunwoody Forest” effort.

The 1999 event included a children’s carnival and tours of rebuilt and rehabilitated homes. DPT chose to name the festival Lemonade Days in 2000, evolving from the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” The 2000 event included a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, and games on the lawn of the Cheek-Spruill House.

During the years 2001 through 2003, Lemonade included arts and crafts at the Shops of Dunwoody in addition to home tours and carnival games at the Cheek-Spruill House. In 2004, Lemonade Days moved to Brook Run Park.

Tornados touched down from Alabama to Cobb County, Georgia over three days in April 1998. In

Dunwoody, the tornado came across Chamblee Dunwoody Road, moved east along Peeler Road, down Tilly Mill Road, through parts of Kingsley, across Happy Hollow Road and through Fontainebleau Forest, then across Winters Chapel Road into Lockridge Forest. The tornado then struck Peachtree Corners and northern Gwinnett County. (Dunwoody Crier, June 1998, “April 9, 1998: The Storm”)

At DeKalb College, today’s Georgia State University, Dunwoody campus, 80 percent of the trees snapped or were

uprooted. The “Replant the Dunwoody Forest” program replaced more than 25,000 trees.

This year’s Lemonade Days Festival will be held April 17-21. What began as a one-day small event has grown into a 5-day festival and Dunwoody signature event, with approximately 20,000 attendees.

The festival includes carnival rides and a variety of food and beverage every day. The tradition of pony rides and a petting zoo continues Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and

Sunday April 21 from noon until 6 p.m.

The Dunwoody Idol competition is at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. The first annual High School Battles of the Bands will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday. Participants include bands from Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, Peachtree Charter Middle School, Dunwoody High School and Atlanta Academy.

Dunwoody Authors & Friends Booth, 20 plus authors with their books available for purchase will be at the festival on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

The Lemonade Days Festival is the only fundraiser of the Dunwoody Preservation Trust, with the profits going to the continued rehabilitation and maintenance of the historic 1870 Donaldson-Bannister Farm (a partnership of the DPT and city of Dunwoody) as well as numerous community events, educational programs for children and adults and Camp Flashback.

Visit dunwoodylemonadedays.org for daily schedules and details.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

HOPE FOLLMER/PROVIDED

Lemonade Days 2023 drew thousands to Brook Run Park to celebrate Dunwoody’s continued effort to preserve its history and natural beauty.

AIKENOMICS

If the story is better than the truth, report the story

AIKEN

The recent $418 million settlement by the National Association of Realtors, alleged for collusion in real estate commissions, is generating buzz among media “talking heads.”

While awaiting judge approval, speculation swirls about potential impacts on real estate sales — lower commissions, possibly shifted to buyers, might squeeze first-time buyers.

I don’t know about the rest of the country, but here in Georgia, due to a strong Georgia Association of Realtors as well as being represented by some of the strongest legal minds, we should not see any noticeable changes. Realtors in Georgia already negotiate their commissions up front with both buyers and sellers. It is clearly defined in our Georgia Association of Realtors contracts.

Bottom line, our Relators are already doing what many in the U.S. have failed to do, and thus the very large potential settlement and major changes coming to many parts of the country.

While I do not anticipate significant

changes ahead, there’s a chance commissions could dip slightly in the foreseeable future. This shift isn’t directly tied to the lawsuit but rather reflects ongoing trends in rising home prices. Keep in mind, the current “6%” commission, once 7%, that is on many contracts today has gradually decreased, indicating a potential downward trend. I am a firm believer that you need to have an agent represent you when buying or selling real estate. These folks earn their commissions every day. With the continued rise in housing prices of close to 40% over the past five years and the basics of buying, selling, and negotiating a contract

remaining basically the same, this may not justify a 40% raise in their overall pay to Realtors. I think the “market” will determine what overall total commissions will be paid out in the future. We may see a small drop in commissions paid to Realtors…just slightly like we saw several years ago.

My thought is that you and I are only sometimes right, but the market is always right. The market will determine commissions in the future…especially in Georgia where the commissions are already openly negotiated between all parties. If you are waiting on the opportunity to go

See REPORT, Page 28

Good

Eva’s stance reminds you of a statuesque female, except in a dog version!

She came to us after being on the run for a few weeks, shy, hungry, and scared. Slowly she has regained her spirit and loves the volunteers and going for long walks on the trails. She is yearning for affection and a family environment. This girl will surprise you with her sweet disposition.

All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org.

D.C.

Guest Columnist dcaiken.com

PRESERVING THE PAST

Will Rogers’ local roots were deep

Perhaps the two most famous Cherokee sons are Jim Thorpe (1887-1953), an outstanding athlete and Olympic Gold Medal winner, and Will Rogers (1879 -1935), a cowboy, humorist, author, actor and entertainer. They were both born in Indian Country, now Oklahoma. They knew each other and led fascinating lives. Today’s column will feature Will Rogers because of his Georgia roots.

Will Rogers was proud of his Cherokee heritage.

He would often joke, “My ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.” His father, Clement Vann Rogers (1839-1911) was a widely respected Cherokee senator and judge who helped draft the Oklahoma state constitution. Rogers’ mother was Mary America Schrimsher Rogers (1839-1890), daughter of a judge. Will was raised on his father’s 60,000-acre ranch in Oklahoma where

Will Rogers, left, and Wiley Post with their Lockheed Orion at Renton, Washington. The pontoons had just been installed for their 1935 fatal flight to the Soviet Union via Alaska. The two were close friends. In 1931 Wiley Post was the first aviator to fly solo around the world.

he learned his cowboy skills from the ranch hands. Like thousands of Cherokees, many of Will’s ancestors had migrated from Georgia to Indian Country following the lndian Treaty of 1835.

A tragic death

Will Rogers died tragically on Aug. 15, 1935, in a plane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska. He and his pilot friend, the famous pioneering aviator Wiley Post, were in a modified Lockheed Orion when it stalled just after takeoff, causing the plane to nose-dive and crash into a lagoon. The two were enroute from Seattle via Alaska to the Soviet Union to chart a possible trans-Siberian airline route. Never a pilot himself, Will loved to fly and traveled to many countries by air. Rogers’ death caused global shockwaves. In Atlanta, the Peachtree Christian church chimes chanted a requiem service simultaneously with Will’s funeral in Glendale, Calif., one of more than 400 such simultaneous tributes throughout the country. In Los Angeles, flags on all buildings were lowered to half-staff.

His initial fame came because of his amazing ability to do rope tricks. It was said that he could throw three lassos simultaneously. He made 71 films in less than 14 years (50 silent films and 21 “talkies”) and was a star in Ziegfeld’s Follies. His movies were sure hits. In 1934, he was number one in the box office ahead of Clark Gable. He wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns.

Famous for his humor, politicians were among his favorite targets. His weekly Sunday article appeared in the Atlanta Journal magazine section, and a daily observation piece was carried in the newspaper. His Sunday radio program was broadcast over WSB. He was a good friend of John Cohen, president of the Atlanta Journal, who hosted a dinner in Atlanta for Will in 1931. He asked Will for some afterdinner remarks. Will spoke for 2 ½ hours “keeping his listeners doubled up with laughter,” according to a report of the evening in the Journal.

Georgia roots

My thanks to Joan Compton, board president of the Johns Creek Historical Society, and to Ed Malowney, board member of the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society, for their help with the complex Rogers family history.

Will Rogers was the great, great grandson of Thomas Clark Cordery III (born circa 1763 in St George Parish, Georgia – died circa 1840). He married a full-blooded Cherokee Indian Susannah Sonicooie (1764-1818).

Their daughter Lucy “Betty” Elizabeth Cordery (circa 1786-circa 1895) married Robert “Bob” Rogers (circa 1785-1842), Will Rogers’ great grandfather. According to the Gwinette Historical Society, Robert and Lucy were forced to sell their land in 1829 and move their family to Oklahoma Indian Territory because the local

BOB MEYERS Columnist

PHOTO PROVIDED

Community gardens and agriculture: A fun way to grow

As summer approaches, do you long to savor homegrown tomatoes and other fresh veggies but don’t have enough sun or anywhere suitable to raise a few crops? Or you do have space but aren’t sure what or when or how to plant?

When we think about agriculture, what often comes to mind are images of a farmer riding an old John Deere tractor through rows of crops on a sunny day. I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, and I think of my mother’s garden, which must have been onequarter acre in size! We grew every vegetable, from tomatoes and potatoes to onions, dill and cucumbers. Yet, for those of us living in a suburb or city there are other gardening options.

How about renting a plot at a community garden? Gardening or farming on a small scale in a shared, public space offers fun and fulfillment. Residents have the opportunity to rent garden beds for their own gardening projects, whether it’s growing vegetables, herbs, fruits or perhaps a garden to attract pollinators or a cutting garden. Plus, if you have a question, there’s probably a friendly neighbor who can offer suggestions.

As Master Gardeners, encouraging sustainable practices among consumer horticulturalists is a priority. Proceeds from our annual Garden Faire provide scholarships and benefit community education efforts and project gardens supported by the North Fulton Master Gardeners volunteer organization.

Support for community gardens

At the North Fulton Community Garden in Sandy Springs and the GROWL Garden in College Park, local residents can rent garden plots for growing food and flowers. Here, they have the opportunity to build relationships with other gardeners of all skill levels and attend educational classes offered by UGA Extension faculty, Master Gardener Extension Volunteers and other partners. Through workshops on composting, sustainable pest and disease management, cover cropping, wildlife exclusion, and much more, community gardeners grow their gardening skills along with their plantings.

Education at Farm Chastain

Farm Chastain, situated in the middle of Chastain Park in Atlanta,

is an urban teaching farm where classes are taught hands-on, as well as via online gardening videos. Farm Chastain began in 2013 as a rehabilitation program for veterans with acquired brain injuries. Today the farm has 18 beds (and growing) and offers free classes to individuals, families, scout groups, schools, garden clubs and other groups.

Master Gardeners have been teaching on site at Farm Chastain since 2014. Classes vary from soil testing, composting at home, herb gardens, vegetable planting, container gardening and many other topics. The harvest is used for teaching purposes, and all surplus is donated to local foodbanks.

The Chastain Park Conservancy offers online gardening classes taught through a partnership with the North Fulton Master Gardeners. Orchids, container gardening, step-by-step vegetable gardening, tips for gardening

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandra Shave, a Master Gardener since 2018. Sandra grew up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and learned to garden at her mother’s knee. She is a recent transplant to Roswell, moving from Wisconsin in 2014 after retirement to be nearer to her children and most importantly her grandchildren! Sandra was co-president of the North Fulton Master Gardeners in 2022 and is excited to master the art of gardening in Georgia and to help teach others via the NFMG Gardening Lecture Series and the Speakers Bureau.

with kids, composting, soil testing, why microorganisms are important and much more valuable horticultural information can be easily accessed in gardening mini-videos. Check out the “Master Gardeners Educate at Farm Chastain” playlist on our YouTube channel.

Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program

Alpharetta’s Community Agriculture Program launched in 2018 and has been steadily growing every year!

The mission of the Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program (ACAP) is to model and inspire the stewardship of natural resources through sustainable practices, while connecting the community through growing food and nature-based education.

The City of Alpharetta operates The Farm at the city’s Old Rucker Park, a wonderful organic vegetable farm with

resources such as tools, free seeds and seedlings, educational classes and workshops, volunteer opportunities and partnerships. There’s also a community garden where residents can rent one of the 36 raised beds, including seeds and seedlings.

There’s a wide variety of learning opportunities around agricultural topics. For example, monthly classes are offered to the community, ranging from seed starting and container gardening to composting, garden journal making and wreath design.

Old Rucker Farm is located within Old Rucker Park at 900 Rucker Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009. For more information, visit https://alpharettacommunity-agriculture-program. square.site/. New programs are sprouting soon!

There are many studies that have shown the health benefits of being outside, gardening and participating in community service. These community gardening and agriculture programs supported by the North Fulton Master Gardeners and Alpharetta’s Community Agriculture program offer opportunities to do all these things.

Garden Faire

The North Fulton Master Gardeners will hold its annual Garden Faire on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in partnership with the City of Alpharetta at The Grove at Wills Park in Alpharetta (175 Roswell St, Alpharetta, GA 30009). This year, the Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program will have unique varieties of organic, heirloom, and non-GMO plants, grown from seed at Old Rucker Farm. Approximately 5000 vegetable, herb, flower seedlings will be available for home gardens. They also have children’s activities.

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

Save the Date! Garden Faire 2024 will be held on April 20, 2024, at The Grove at Wills Park. https://www. nfmg.net/garden-faire.html

SANDRA SHAVE Guest Columnist

AMANDA MUSILLI/PROVIDED Fall morning at the ACAP Farm

CATHY RAPER/PROVIDED

NF Master Gardeners educate at Farm Chastain

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Report:

Continued from Page 25

online and purchase a home with no Realtor on Amazon…you are in for a long wait.

As far as sales prices falling due to “reduced” commissions…don’t hold your breath on that one either. Even if our real estate community does lower commissions, do not look for

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday, May 16, 2024 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. V-24-11 Nixon/2110 Canton View Pool Variance

Consideration of a variance to reduce the rear setback for a swimming pool from 20’ to 11’. The property is located at 2110 Canton View and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1197, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

b. V-24-15 Zafiratos/831 Smokehouse Court

Consideration of a variance to reduce the rear setback from 35’ to 25’ to allow for a deck and screened porch replacement on a single-family detached home on 0.42 acres. The property is located in the Fairfax subdivision, which has a platted rear setback of 35’. The property is located at 831 Smokehouse Court and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1274, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, May 20, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. V-24-12 115 Lambdin Lane Stream Buffer Variance

Consideration of a variance to allow for an encroachment into the 25’ stream buffer in order to stabilize a tributary associated with Long Indian Creek. The property is located at 115 Lambdin Lane and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 95, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

DEATH NOTICES

Jimmie Cadenhead, 79, of Alpharetta, passed away on April 1, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Elissa Coalson, 89, of Milton, passed away on March 23, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Dee Dee Cooley, 58, of Milton, passed away on March 31, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Cynda Douglas, 72, of Alpharetta, passed away on March 25, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

any significant savings on your future home purchase. We continue to have a shortage of housing inventory in Metro Atlanta, which will keep prices moving higher. When rates come down later in the year, look for even more buyers to enter the market, which will keep prices moving higher. I am still predicting an overall 5% rise in home prices in Metro Atlanta.

Bottom line…get a Realtor when buying and or selling a home. They are worth every penny!

Hope you have a nice remainder of your week and be careful out there!

D.C. Aiken is vice president, producing production manager for BankSouth Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.

The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of BankSouth Mortgage or its affiliates.

info@northsidechapel.com

www.northsidechapel.com

During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, April 29, 2024 and Monday, May 20, 2024 during the Alpharetta City Council Meeting and Public Hearing, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers located at 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments –Businesses and Business Regulations

Consideration of an ordinance to amend Chapter 10 of The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia relating to businesses and business regulations; to define and provide for regulation of shopping carts; to provide for enforcement; to provide for penalties for violations; to provide for effective dates; to repeal all ordinances in conflict; to provide for severability; and for other purposes. 770-645-1414

Sandra Piper, 78, of Roswell, passed away on March 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Charlene Shirley, 86, of Alpharetta, passed away on March 30, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, April 29, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. CLUP-24-01/Z-24-04/V-24-04 Upper Hembree Tract/Empire Communities

Consideration of a comprehensive land use plan amendment, rezoning and variances to allow for the redevelopment of the former’s Harry’s Market with a 149-lot single-family detached subdivision on 19.32 acres. A comprehensive land use plan amendment is requested from Commercial to High Density Residential and a rezoning is requested from PSC (Planned Shopping Center) to R-8D (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Detached Residential – High Density). Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.9(D) to increase building coverage by principal buildings from 40% to 65% and reduce minimum lot width from 50’ to 31’ and to UDC Subsection 3.2.8(B)(1)(a) to reduce the 50’ undisturbed buffer. The property is located at 1180 Upper Hembree Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 550 & 553, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be considered by the Design Review Board on Friday, May 17, 2024 with a workshop commencing at 8:30 a.m. and regular meeting commencing at 9:00 a.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

1. DRB240018 Flour Power Cooking School

Consideration of a new signage in the Downtown. The property is located at 131 South Main St and is legally described as being in Land Lot 0695, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

2. DRB240019 Play Street Museum

Consideration of a new signage in the Downtown. The property is located at 11770 Haynes Bridge Rd and is legally described as being in Land Lot 0695 and 0696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia

3. DRB240020 Campania

Consideration of a new patio addition. The property is located at 800 North Main St and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1111, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia

4. DRB240021 Canton and Mayfield Development (Hudson Park)

Consideration of a new construction. The property is located at 193 Canton St and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1197 and 1252, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, May 2, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, May 20, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. MP-24-03 Costco/Oxford Green Master Plan

Consideration of a master plan amendment to allow for a 13,500 square foot expansion of the Costco building. A master plan amendment is requested to Oxford Green Master Plan Tract A to increase the maximum allowable square footage of the building from 138,500 to 152,000 square feet. The property is located at 2855 Jordan Court and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 1120 & 1121, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

b. MP-24-02/CU-24-05/V-24-13 Tractor Supply Company/North Point Business Center Master Plan Pod 7

Consideration of a master plan amendment, conditional use and variance to allow for the re-use of the 34,313 square foot former Ethan Allen building for Tractor Supply Company on 4.6 acres in North Point. A master plan amendment is requested to the North Point Business Center Master Plan Pod 7 to add ‘Home Improvement Store’ and ‘Retail Establishment, Mixed Sales’ as conditional uses. A conditional use is requested to allow ‘Home Improvement Store’ and ‘Retail Establishment, Mixed Sales’ for Tractor Supply Company. A variance is requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 2.5 Parking and Loading, to reduce parking requirements. The property is located at 6800 North Point Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 687 & 702, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

c. Z-24-08/V-24-08 306 Thompson Street

Consideration of a rezoning and variances to allow for the construction of 2 ‘ForSale’ single-family detached homes on 1.148 acres in the Downtown Overlay. A rezoning is requested from R-12 (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Residential) to DT-LW (Downtown Live-Work). Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A Subsection 2.3.5 and UDC Subsection 3.5.7 to eliminate the requirement to install a multi-use trail; UDC Appendix A Subsection 2.4.6 to allow parking between the building and the street and to eliminate the requirement for a street-facing garage to be recessed at least 20’ behind the front building façade; and Appendix A Subsection 2.8.7 to allow a contemporary architectural style for the proposed homes. The property is located at 306 Thompson Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 802, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

d. PH-24-11 Unified Development Code (UDC) Text Amendments –Exceptions

Consideration of text amendments to Subsection 4.5.5 of the Unified Development Code (UDC) to amend regulations pertaining to Exceptions.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Full-time

Family First Credit Union in Roswell, Ga. is seeking a full-time teller for the Roswell office. This position provides a variety of services to our members - deposits, withdrawals, transfers and payments on accounts. Applicant should have previous cash handling experience, be detailed oriented, possess strong communication skills and be self-motivated. Previous financial institution experience a plus. The full time teller will report to the Branch Manager. The hours for the full time position are Monday and Friday (8:45- 5:15) and Saturday (8:45-12:15). This position also requires flexibility for vacation schedules and sick days of other employees. The duties of the full time teller may include but are not limited to:

• Greeting members

• Deposits and withdrawals (cash and checks)

• Phone requests

• Safe deposit box entry

• Maintaining member account privacy

• Auditing loans and membership applications

• Visa transaction (payments and cash advances)

• Account closure

• Daily balancing of cash drawer

Assisting employees at other branch(s) The following qualifications are required for the full time position:

• Previous cash handling experience

• Teller experience preferred but not required

• Excellent member service

• Excellent phone etiquette

• Excellent balancing skills

• Excellent attendance

• Excellent communication and organization skills

• Computer experience

• Team player

To apply please send your resume to search@ffcuga. org Only candidates meeting the above qualifications will be considered.

Family First Credit Union in Roswell, Ga. is seeking a full-time Loan Officer/ Members Services Representative for our Roswell office. Opening Accounts, assisting members with account information including credit card issues, Providing lending options to members. Applicant should have previous customer service experience and lending experience, be detailed oriented, possess strong communication skills and be self-motivated. Previous financial institution experience is a plus. The hours for the full-time position are Monday and Friday (8:45- 5:15) and Saturday (8:45-12:15). The following qualifications are required for the full-time position:

• Lending experience

• Excellent member service

• Excellent phone etiquette

• Excellent organizational skills

• Excellent attendance

• Excellent communication and organization skills

• Computer experience

• Team player

The duties of the full-time Loan Officer/MSR may include but are not limited to:

• Greeting members

• Booking Loans

• Working with credit reports

• Safe deposit box entry

• Maintaining member account privacy

• Auditing loans and membership applications

• Opening Accounts

• Account closure

• Assisting employees at other branch(s)

Please consider joining our team! We offer excellent salary and benefits! To apply please send your resume to search@ffcuga.org. Only candidates meeting the above qualifications will be considered.

Part-time

REAL ESTATE ASSISTING

Healthy, hard-working, very tech-savvy lady, good organizing skills. 1-5 or 6pm. 2-3 days/week. My Johns Creek home. Also willing to help with home organization. Salary approx. $15+/hour based on performance & work accomplished. Have own reliable transportation. 678-524-3881 & send resume: realestatetreasure@msn.com

Rogers:

Continued from Page 26

government considered them to be Indians. That is why Will Rogers was born in Oklahoma, not Georgia.

Lucy and Robert’s son, Robert Jr. (1815-1842), who was Will Rogers’ grandfather, married Sallie (Sarah) Vann Rogers (1818-1882). She was from the Wolf Clan, the largest Cherokee clan known as protectors.

Another Cordery daughter, Sarah Cordery (1786-1842), married John Rogers Jr. (1774-1851). While Robert and John Jr. were brothers-in-law, they were not related by blood. John Jr. was Will Rogers’ great uncle by marriage.

John Rogers Jr. was a wealthy farmer with 640 acres along the Chattahoochee River. Their twostory house, built in 1804, was constructed of heart-pine timber from John’s land. It was floated across the Chattahoochee to its current location in 1819 where it still stands in the Shakerag community in today’s Johns Creek. John Jr. established a ferry across the Chattahoochee, and during the Creek Indian uprising in 1813 served on Gen. Andrew Jackson’s staff. John Jr. and Sarah had 12 children, all of whom grew to adulthood, a rarity in those days. Sarah and John Jr.’s second son, William Rogers, held leadership positions in the Cherokee Nation. He built a house in 1839 that still stands in Johns Creek.

Robert Jr. and Sarah’s son, Clement (known as Uncle Clem) Rogers (1839-1911), married Mary America Schrimsher (1839-1890) who was one-quarter Cherokee. They were Will’s parents. Clem owned a cattledriving business and was one of the wealthiest men in the Indian Territory.

THE FILM DAILY/PROVIDED Will Rogers caricature in an advertisement for the film “Down to Earth” from The Film Daily, 1932. Rogers made 71 films in less than 14 years and was one of Hollywood’s leading actors.

They had eight children. The youngest was William (Will) Penn Adair Rogers, who was named after the assistant principal chief of the Cherokee Nation Colonel William Penn Adair.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

1990 we have believed local news should be free to read and accessible by all. If you agree, consider making a pledge today. Go to appenmedia.com/join or mail a check to 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009