Alpharetta-Roswell Herald — February 13, 2020

Fe b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 2 0 | N o r t h F u l t o n . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 8 , N o . 7

Roswell considers committee on parking

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Town Green, minus the green

Alpharetta has set aside $100,000 to keep its Town Green green by either replacing the grass with new sod or resurfacing the whole area with artificial turf. Right now, the centerpiece of downtown is showing signs of wear and tear from festivals and weekend farmers markets.

Alpharetta seeks to put tax break on ballot

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Read more, Page 6

Alpharetta girls fall in region tourney

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Rucker family embodies compassion in practice

PATRICK FOX/Herald

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2 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Public Safety

Roswell Police arrest murder suspects in store shooting 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta: ext. 118, Roswell ext. 122 Dunwoody Crier: ext. 143 Forsyth Herald: ext. 118 Johns Creek Herald: ext. 123 Milton Herald: ext. 139 Northside Woman: ext. 128 Calendar: ext. 122

Police Blotter

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ROSWELL, Ga. — Police arrested two DeKalb County men for allegedly killing a man while robbing the Super Mercado Jalisco on Alpharetta Street.

On Feb. 1, police responded to a 911 call about an armed robbery at the grocery store. When officers arrived, they found an employee at the store unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead soon after, said Roswell Police Public Information Officer Sean Thompson.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Eddy Leonardo of DeKalb County.

The Roswell Police Department Special Investigations and Crimi-

2018

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.

Woman reports thief altered personal checks ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman reported Jan. 27 that someone had altered and deposited checks she had issued earlier.

About a month after mailing several checks at the post office, the woman checked her bank account and noticed several suspicious transactions. She found that three of the checks she had mailed had been changed to different amounts and a different name for the payee.

Man reports receiving counterfeit $20 bills ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A Lithonia man contacted police Jan. 27 after he realized he had been given two fake $20 bills from an Alpharetta auto shop on North Main Street.

The man said that three days prior, he had visited the auto shop to return some items. He received three $20 bills as part of a cash refund.

When the customer attempted to use bills the next day at a Lithonia restaurant, he realized two of the bills were counterfeit.The man contacted the auto shop, and the manager said he was

nal Investigations Division detectives later identified and arrested 29-year-old James English of DeKalb County on Feb. 3 as a suspect in the incident. He was charged with murder and armed robbery.

Three days later, police arrested another man, 29-year-old Anthony Boyd of DeKalb County, for murder and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery in connection with the case.

Police say they expect more arrests in connection to the incident, Thompson said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to call 770-640-4100 to speak with a detective or call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 to remain anonymous.

— Julia Grochowski

DUI arrests Jemonte Ingram, 32, of Roedeer Drive, Clarksville, Tenn., was arrested Jan. 26 on Ga. 400 in Roswell for DUI, following too closely, and hit and run.

Donna Kahn Johnson, 69, of Lakemist Court, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 26 on Woodstock Road in Roswell for DUI. Lizabeth Ann Vena, 52, of Overland Drive, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 31 on Atlanta Street in Roswell for DUI. Christina Lauren Ivey, 22, of Plymouth Lane, Marietta, was arrested Feb. 1 on Atlanta Street in Roswell aware of the fake bills and would give the man another $40.

The man decided to report the incident before returning to the auto shop.

Home burglarized while family on trip ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police are investigating a home burglary that took place at Grenadier Lane.

The homeowners had left the state on a three-day trip Jan. 17. When they came home, the homeowners noticed that a hidden key was missing.

Then on Jan. 27 one of the homeowners noticed that she couldn’t find a

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for DUI. Stephen Thomas Cofino, 30 of Panoramic Pointe, Buford, was arrested Jan. 26 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, speeding, reckless driving first offense, failure to maintain lane and driving in the emergency lane.

Mary Theresa Schoerner, 34, of Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, was arrested Jan. 30 on Ga. 120 in Alpharetta for DUI, no headlights and expired license.

Patrick Foley Deehan, 28, of Owens Way, Milton, was arrested Jan. 30 on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane, expired license and expired registration. watch. They then took inventory of their belongings and discovered that several items, including purses and jewelry, were missing. The total value of the missing items is estimated at more than $12,000.

Police did not find any visible damage to the house aside from some damage to the master bedroom door and lock.

Thief removes electronics from parked vehicle ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Illinois man reported Jan. 25 that his car had been burglarized while he visited Ruth’s Chris

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NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 3

Roswell considers committee dedicated to downtown parking

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The City Council has again set it sights on tackling the problem parking in downtown Roswell.

At the Jan. 29 Community Development and Transportation Committee meeting, city staff and council members discussed the possibility of creating a committee focused on downtown parking. Ultimately, the council members chose to defer the item to the next meeting after thinking over the goals and logistics of the new committee.

Roswell business owners and residents have long asked the city to alleviate parking issues along Canton Street.

It’s a problem that has plagued the community for decades and has caused some long-time businesses to leave the area.

Over the past couple of years, the city has made some progress, including opening more spots at East Alley, working with the Hagan Property lot to free up spaces outside of business hours and installing metered parking in key areas

to encourage quicker parking turnover.

Parking is also always available at City Hall, but there are valid safety concerns for people who must cross two busy streets to get to Canton Street, said Councilman Mike Palermo.

These measures are all small steps in the right direction, but it’s not enough, multiple council members said.

Over and over again, residents and business owners will band together and decide that something should be done about downtown parking, but then nothing does, Palermo said. A committee dedicated to working on the issue could generate greater progress.

Council members laid out ideas for what such a committee could look like at the meeting.

They floated the idea of creating a diverse committee of both business owners and residents. Palermo also said it is important the committee be filled with people who do not have preconceived ideas for a solution so that all possibilities are explored thoroughly.

“I think it’s important that it doesn’t seem that anyone has pretty much pre-

Blotter:

Parked car burglarized during church visit

Continued from Page 2

ROSWELL, Ga. — Police are investigating a Jan. 21 car burglary at Cross of Life Lutheran Church on Hembree Road.

The car owner said he had parked the car around noon. When he returned about 20 minutes later, he saw that his front driver-side window had been shattered. The man’s backpack, which had been stored on the passenger-side floorboard, was missing.

The backpack had contained several identifying documents, $100 in cash and a notebook containing his bank account IDs and passwords.

Police later received a call about a

Steakhouse on Haynes Bridge Road.

The man said he arrived at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. About four hours later, he returned to his car and noticed the passenger’s side front window had been shattered.

A $500 backpack was missing inside.

The backpack had contained several electronics, including a laptop, iPad Pro, iPencil, headphones, prescription sunglasses and battery chargers.

The total value of the missing items was placed at more than $6,000.

Herald FILE PHOTO

At the Jan. 29 Community Development and Transportation Committee meeting, city staff and council members discussed the possibility of creating a committee focused on downtown parking. determined what the solution will be,” Palermo said. “It’s important residents feel all different opportunities were looked at.”

In tandem with the downtown parking committee discussion, the City Council also looked at greater involvement from the Downtown Development Authority on the issue and possibly creating a shuttle service to ferry people between Canton Street and City Hall.

Council members said they wanted to first get a greater understanding of some of the new committee’s details before deciding on whether it should be formed.

Councilman Marcelo Zapata questioned whether a downtown parking committee should function for a set number of years.

Other considerations included the committee’s specific goals and areas of study, as well as how committee members should be chosen.

But overall, the City Council was favorable to the idea of the committee.

“I think together we can make a lot of progress, understanding that the city needs to be a partner with the committee and the DDA,” Councilwoman Marie Willsey said.

suspicious backpack on Elkins Road and later identified it as the item taken from the man’s car. The owner said only cash had been removed.

the front passenger side floorboard was missing. The bag contained a notebook, reading glasses and sunglasses.

Woman uncovers fraud Thief breaks into vehicle after applying to rent car while owner goes on walk ROSWELL, Ga. — Police are investigating a Jan. 31 car burglary that took place at Willeo Park.

The car owner said he had parked in the lot that afternoon, then went for a walk.

When he returned to the car about 30 minutes later, he said he noticed that his front passenger window had been broken.

A backpack that had been placed on

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman contacted police Jan. 20 after she found that someone had rented a car under her name without her authority.

The woman said that while attempting to rent a car, she was notified that someone had used her name and driver’s license to rent a car in California.

While using the car, the suspect allegedly incurred over $1,600 in damages.

4 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Alpharetta seeks hike in homestead exemption, bond election

Roswell creates public art policies

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — By a narrow vote, the Alpharetta City Council passed a resolution Monday night seeking state authority to raise its homestead exemption another $7,500 and to hold a bond referendum this fall.

After a fiery debate, the council voted 4-3 to call for ballot questions this fall proposing a tax break for local homeowners and passage of a $50 million bond to fund a slew of capital projects for parks and transportation.

Both proposals would require legislative approval before they can be placed on the November ballot.

“This sends a terrible message to the business community,” Mayor Jim Gilvin said. “Desperate times call for desperate measures. These are not desperate times.”

Gilvin was one of three council members who opposed the measures.

Gilvin and council members John Hipes and Dan Merkel argued that the twin measures would force commercial property owners to pay for a slew of local improvements while homeowners contribute nothing.

Homestead exemptions reduce the taxable value of owner-occupied homes, lowering their property tax bills. Commercial property is not eligible for a homestead exemption.

Alpharetta voters approved a referendum last November that increased the local homestead exemption by $5,000 to $45,000 — already the highest in Metro Atlanta.

Alpharetta commercial property makes up 62 percent of the city’s tax-

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell has officially established policies for installing public art in the city, including temporary and donated artworks. The new rules do not impact any art on private property.

The new policies come in the wake of increased interest of public art in Roswell.

“As we started and continued to work on a number of different art initiatives supported by the community and the Arts Fund and our department, we realized that a consistent framework in the form of a policy is necessary,” said Director of Recreation and Parks Jeff Leatherman.

One of the biggest initiatives includes the ArtAround Roswell Sculpture Tour, which rotates about 10 sculptures each year throughout the city. Since the tour’s inception about five years ago, it has brought 10 permanent sculptures to Roswell through purchases and donations.

Under the city’s new policies, Sculpture Tour art is defined as temporary art.

The temporary art selection process, as outlined by the policy, mainly involves a designated arts agency, like the Roswell Arts Fund, which would form a selection panel and present projects to the City Council for authorization and placement.

Donated art undergoes a similar process.

Long-term and permanent art selection requires more involvement from the City Council. For such art, a conceptional project must first be presented to and authored by the mayor and City Council, before a designated arts agency’s selection panel forms a project recommendation. The final product is then presented to the City Council and upon authorization can be installed.

The fact that the selection processes ended at installation was troubling for resident Lee Fleck. He pointed to some art sculptures in the city that have begun rusting and urged the City Council to consider upkeep as well.

“If you’re going to install something, you have to have a maintenance program,” he said.

Councilman Marcelo Zapata amended the policy to add that long-term project recommendations must include dates for installation and project removal.

One of the policies’ goals, to drive economic prosperity for Roswell, caused some confusion for Councilwoman Christine Hall.

She said it was unclear how public art by itself would accomplish that goal.

“There are some studies that suggest that as you continue to evolve your vibrant community through art and other cultural opportunities that that also drives community culture and eventually economic development,” Leatherman said.

The City Council unanimously approved the new policies.

PATRICK FOX/HERALD

Alpharetta City Council members debate measures to raise its homestead exemption and hold a $50 million bond referendum. able value. Merkel said shifting more of the tax burden onto commercial property owners may appeal to homeowners, but stressing businesses further is unwise policy. What happens, he asked, if the country falls into recession?

“Residents tend to not move during a recession,” Merkel said. “They’re stuck. You can’t sell your house for what it’s worth. You’re not going anywhere. The businesses don’t have a choice. If they can’t pay rent, they’re closing the doors.”

Proponents of the measures say the city is facing an unusual circumstance unlike any other in the state.

Councilman Jason Binder said Alpharetta is one of the top 10 economic hubs in the state, and employers draw much of their workforce from other cities, using local roads and infrastructure to sustain their businesses. Alpharetta,

he said, has to absorb all that traffic.

He pointed out that businesses help nearly double Alpharetta’s daytime population each day.

Councilman Ben Burnett said the bond would require raising the local tax rate on property by .2499 mills. He said he’d like to see workshops begin as early as next week to draw up a list of projects to fund with the $50 million bond. This way, he said, residents will know what they’re voting for when they see the item on the ballot.

Under current conditions, a tax rate hike of .2499 mills would generate additional revenues of about $1.5 million, according to Alpharetta Finance Director Tom Harris.

However, with an additional homestead exemption of $7,500 on residential property, the city would lose about one-third of that added revenue.

Legislator ponders 4-3 council vote

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta’s plan to hold a referendum this fall to raise the local homestead exemption will go nowhere unless it wins support under the Gold Dome.

First, a member of the state House or Senate must propose legislation allowing for the question to be placed on the ballot. Then, the measure must be approved by a super majority — two-thirds in favor — in the House and Senate.

Sounds easy, but in the case of split votes, like the 4-3 tally cast by the Alpharetta City Council Feb. 3, it can become complicated.

“It is not uncommon for local delegations in the Legislature to have rules, written or otherwise, that allude to unanimous decisions coming from their local delegations,” said State Rep. Chuck Martin, an Alpharetta resident and former mayor.

In general, Martin said, local legislators like to see unanimity from their city councils when proposing something as permanent as a homestead exemption.

“In our delegation, as I recall, we don’t have a hard and fast rule on that right now,” Martin said. “I would hope that they would keep working toward a resolution.”

Martin said it’s always easier to

secure passage of something like a homestead exemption in the Legislature if you have a unanimous vote from a city council. Sometimes, he said, legislators from outside the area will still ask whether everyone is on board with the proposal.

The good news, Martin said, is that the Legislature has adjourned until Feb. 18, giving everyone time to get together and talk.

“As a homeowner, I’ve never met a homestead exemption that I didn’t like, as long as it wouldn’t put our city in a financial hole,” he said. “Personally, I hope we can get to a place where everyone’s on the same page, and we can bring this to the taxpayers.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 5

NEWS

6 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Grass or artificial turf?

City Green faces test

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council passed a mid-year budget adjustment Feb. 3, adding another $3 million in spending.

The funding measure, aimed primarily at street and parks improvements, will go to a second and final vote at the City Council’s Feb. 17 meeting.

While the list of additional projects has been batted about for months, council members are sketchy on one expense – one that calls for spending $100,000 to replace the surface of the Town Green with artificial turf.

Council members agreed that they preferred to maintain the area with natural grass, but there is some doubt as to whether the subsoil is rich enough to support a healthy lawn, especially with all the wear and tear it undergoes.

Town Green is home to numerous festivals, including the Alpharetta Farmers Market that runs Saturdays from spring to fall.

“I do think there’s value in having real grass,” Councilman Ben Burnett said. “If we cannot grow real grass, I think there’s value in turf. I don’t think there’s a lot of value in mud.”

Morgan Rodgers, director of Alpharetta Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said if the city wants to try re-sodding the area, timing will be one consideration because spring is only a few weeks away.

“Regardless of which way we go, the timing needs to be where we can [re-sod],” Rodgers said. “I would think at least in March or at the latest early April. If we go with sod, there’s going

to be a two- or three-week period that there’s going to have to be fence around the Town Green to keep them off the sod.”

The City Council said that before deciding, they would like to get estimates on costs for a maintaining grass field versus those associated with artificial turf. Rodgers said that aside from the initial cost of artificial turf, there is regular maintenance associated with the material. It is not maintenance free, he said.

Council members agreed to keep the $100,000 in the budget, but it would be earmarked for Town Green “improvements,” without specifying which surface would be used until a later date.

The council also approved a number of other big-ticket items for inclusion in the mid-year budget. They include: • Pedestrian improvements at Marietta Street and Ga. 9 — This shovel-ready project includes installation of a HAWK signal and provides other street modifications. Price: $200,000.

• Hopewell Road and Vaughn Drive roundabout — The cost includes design and construction, and the project is expected to be bid in late spring. Projected cost: $1.5 million.

• Lily Garden Extension — This is part of a plan to connect with Cumming Street across Ga. 9. Price $785,000.

• Restrooms at public parks — In all, four sites will be affected, including new facilities at the Big Creek Greenway trailheads at Haynes Bridge Road and at Marconi Drive as well as upgraded facilities at Wacky World at Wills Park and at the quad in North Park. Total projected cost: $1 million.

The City Council has also has earmarked $5 million from its hotel/motel tax fund for the purchase of park land if property becomes available.

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 7

SCHOOLS

8 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Big changes coming to popular dual enrollment program Legislators applying the brakes to college credits in high school

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com

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FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A bill to cap the accumulation of free college credits by high school students is fast-tracking its way through the Georgia Legislature and may be one of the first education bills to land on Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk this session.

House Bill 44 seeks to tighten guidelines for the state’s dual enrollment program in which high school students can take college classes paid for by the state. Lawmakers describe the actions as necessary “guardrails” on an increasingly popular — and costly — program.

The dual enrollment program began nearly two decades ago by former Gov. Zell Miller to increase the number of students going on to college, and to ease the financial burden.

In 2016, the program expanded under the “Move On When Ready” initiative

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High school students enrolled in dual enrollment courses during the 2018-19 school year

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Dual Enrollment Overview

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which opened options — and the state’s wallet — to attract even more students.

The number of students in the program jumped by nearly 40 percent that year.

Currently about 42,000 in 176 school districts are enrolled in dual enrollment courses, including more than 2,000 students in the Fulton County School System.

Fulton officials also have seen the program numbers rise, especially after 2016 with the expansion of the program to more students.

Fulton County Schools Assistant Superintendent Chris Matthews, who oversees Student Support Services, said students have numerous options available now to get a jump on college.

“Increasingly Fulton County School students have utilized dual enrollment classes taught on our campuses and on college campuses,” Matthews said. “These classes along with Advanced Placement allow students to earn college credits while attending high school [and] get a head start on their post-secondary careers.”

While the program continues to be successful in preparing more students

Dual enrollment students take an average of 12.7 credit hours, or about four courses.

College credits earned

by Fulton students

2015: 2,900

2019: 7,100

76 percent of dual enrollment credit hours are in core subject areas like English, language arts or math

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 9

10 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCHOOLS

School systems respond to the threat of coronavirus flu

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — State health officials have issued guidelines to school systems as the global flu outbreak linked to China has become “an emerging, rapidly evolving situation,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since early January the novel coronavirus flu, known as nCoV, has spread from Wuhan, China, to more than 30 countries around the globe — despite efforts by government officials to close borders or screen individuals before entering. The flu was first detected in China in August.

Worldwide, more than 30,000 people have been diagnosed with nCoV, with numbers rising daily. As of the first week of February, nearly 700 people have died from nCoV. In the U.S., more than 300 people in five states are considered “people under investigation,” according to the CDC. Georgia is not among those states as of early February.

Institutions where large numbers of people gather, including schools, could be particularly vulnerable to an outbreak, although the threat level is minimal.

In a letter to school systems dated, Jan. 30, Georgia Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey said the overall risk of the coronavirus flu remains low, and standard precautions should protect most people.

“The best way to prevent infection with any respiratory virus is to use the same preventive strategies used

during a normal cold and flu season,” Toomey advised.

“Get a flu shot every year, wash hands regularly with warm water and soap, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness.”

She explained the flu and coronavirus are spread the same way by “respiratory droplets” from an infected person through coughing or sneezing. Without these symptoms, the person is unlikely to spread the virus.

“Based on current information, a person who is not showing any signs or symptoms of nCoV does not pose a risk to other students and does not need to be excluded from school,” Toomey said in her letter to school systems.

However, anecdotal cases of people without symp-

toms infecting others have emerged in China and other countries, raising the level of concern.

In the Fulton County School System, health officials are heeding the advice of the GDPH and not “excluding” students from school solely based on their past travel.

“FCS has worked to keep abreast of all current changes and developments [and] this remains a very fluid situation,” said Brian Noyes, chief communications director. “Student Health Services continues to work very closely with [health partners] for continuous updates and guidance.”

Other school systems are not taking any chances with the fast-spreading illness, including Forsyth County Schools which sent out a health advisory to anyone who recently traveled in China.

The district is asking that students who traveled to China, or who live with anyone who recently returned, to “wait for the 14-day incubation period (beginning the day of return to the U.S.) to expire before enrolling… or returning to school.”

Students will be provided online learning during this period.

A spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Education said all health directives and information regarding nCoV in schools will come from the Georgia Department of Health.

The health community response to nCoV is in marked contrast to the panic that ensued a decade ago when the H1N1 Swine Flu led to a widespread closing of schools to limit the spread. The flu spread to every state and resulted in the deaths of approximately 800 people.

NEWS

College:

Continued from Page 8

for college, based on studies by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, it has also become a financial victim of its own success.

In the past five years, the cost to taxpayers for dual enrollment has increased by 325 percent, according to a 2019 audit, increasing from $18.5 million in 2014 to $78.8 million in 2018. This year the state budget proposes allocating $108 million to cover tuition, fees and books.

Along with escalating costs, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts also noted a lack of checks and balances in the program. The audit found examples of students taking aerobics classes paid for by the state, and students being approved for credit hours well beyond the limit of 15 credits a semester.

One student cited in the 40-page audit accumulated 64 credit hours in a single semester while others earned credits far in excess of graduation requirements.

Under HB 444, students can earn a maximum of 30 college credit hours through dual enrollment. It also limits participation primarily to 11th and 12th grade students. Ninth and 10th graders may still participate in some circumstances. Provisions will be made for students currently enrolled in the program.

High school students who wish to earn more than 30 college credits — the equivalent of one year of college — will either have to pay the tuition or use their allotment of HOPE Scholarship credits for the excess hours.

Any retake of courses will not be funded by the state, and after withdrawing from two dual enrollment courses the student will no longer be eligible for the program.

The proposed changes under HB 444 are estimated to save from $15-$17 million annually. The bill was passed by the House during the last legislative session. The House will now consider the current bill with the Senate amendments added last week.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 11

Roswell Mayor takes State of the City on the road

By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Mayor Lori Henry is making easier for Roswell residents and business owners to keep abreast of their city’s happenings by bringing the State of the City address directly to them.

Henry is offering to come to interested groups to give her address in person and answer any questions.

“It’s a great way to engage with the citizens and business owners,” Henry said. “It’s really just a way to get information out to folks… I want to hear from the citizens and business owners and get their thoughts on the State of the City and their reactions to my address.”

The presentation draws from the same one Henry gave earlier this January at the annual State of the City in conjunction with Roswell Inc. This year’s address packed the room past capacity but did not allow much time for questions afterward.

The more intimate setting with neighborhood groups or church groups, for example, allows for a more personalized presentation, Henry said.

Depending on the group, she may delve deeper into certain topics as they come up and speak after the presentation.

“I’ve got the time, and as long as they’re engaged and have questions, I’m there to answer

them,” Henry said. “And if I can’t answer them, I’ll get them the answers.”

Broadly speaking, Henry covers major updates from last year as well as upcoming projects and initiatives during the State of the City. Some major highlights from this year’s presentation includes information on several new transportation projects, the Doc’s Cafe preservation project and plans for the Southern Skillet property.

Henry began taking the State of the City on the road last year after she was approached by some groups wanting to know more about Roswell’s latest updates.

It’s all about public outreach, Henry said.

Some past groups Henry has presented the State of the City for include homeowner’s associations, the Kiwanis Club, church groups, PTA groups, businesses and neighborhood groups.

There’s really no limit on who she will present to, Henry said, as long as it’s more than one or two people in the group.

Henry said she will present her address for however long people request one. Last year, she continued to offer the service for about six months, after which the requests naturally died out as the address became old news.

To invite the Mayor to present the State of the City, contact Executive Assistant Tyara Wooten at twooten@roswellgov.com or 770-594-6288.

SPORTS

12 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Ken Ludwig

DIRECTED BY

James Donadio

ZACH SHUGAN/HERALD

Milton poses with the region championship trophy after winning the Region 5-AAAAAAA tournament Feb. 7.

MILTON 61, SOUTH FORSYTH 54

Milton boys claim region title

By ZACH SHUGAN news@appenmediagroup.com

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Milton continued its dominance in Region 5-AAAAAAA and fended off South Forsyth Friday night for the Eagles’ second straight region title.

The Eagles were the region front-runner all season and reached the tournament final as the favored No. 1 seed over No. 3 South Forsyth with the teams battling in front of a packed crowd at Forsyth Central.

“It was a great playoff atmosphere,” said Milton head coach Allen Whitehart. “[South Forsyth] is tough as nails, and they played until the end. They did a great job.”

The Eagles flashed their ability to shoot from long range early in the game, knocking down four 3-pointers in the opening minutes to build a 19-9 lead.

The teams traded blows during the second quarter, but the margin remained the same with Milton up 32-22 at halftime. Region Player of the Year Bruce Thornton had eight points, three rebounds and six assists in the opening half.

The War Eagles played at a frenetic pace all night, and it started to pay off in the second half. With Milton leading 41-32 at the start of the fourth quarter, South Forsyth began making its move.

The War Eagles press defense forced a couple of turnovers and took advantage with points, allowing South to shrink the gap to 46-40 with 4:30 left in the game.

Milton responded with a few baskets of its own, and soon enough, the Eagles’ lead was back up to 11 points with two minutes on the clock.

The War Eagles continued to fight back and cut the margin to five points with 40 seconds left, but Milton’s lead proved insurmountable.

“We knew coming in that they were going to lay it on the line,” Whitehart said. “We knew they were going to throw everything but the kitchen sink.”

The War Eagles were led by junior big-man Devin McGlockton, who finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Thornton finished with a game-high 25 points, and freshman guard Kanaan Carlyle added 16 points for Milton.

The Eagles knew going into the region tournament that their spot in the state tournament was already secured.

After defeating West Forsyth in the semifinals and holding on against South Forsyth Friday, Milton’s reward is what they’ve been aiming for all season to this point — a region title and a No. 1 in the state tournament.

“We’ve talked about it all year,” Whitehart said. “It gives us the opportunity to set the tone. We’ll go home and check out the brackets to shape up where we are and see who’s where. We’re just fortunate tonight to get another win.

The kids played hard and stuck to our game plan all year. We’re back-to-back region champions. I’m excited.”

The Eagles will host No. 4 seed Central Gwinnett next weekend to open the state tournament.

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 13

14 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

POPE 56, ALPAHRETTA 26

SPORTS

Alpharetta girls take fourth

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Despite a strong regular season, Alpharetta girls basketball will enter the state tournament as the No. 4 seed from Region 7-AAAAAA after an abysmal region tournament. The Raiders entered the region tourney as the top seed but were dispatched handily in their two games, including Saturday’s 5626 loss to Pope in the third-place game.

The Greyhounds’ region-leading offense put the game out of reach early, and the Raiders were held to single-digit scoring in each period.

Alpharetta entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and earned an automatic bid to the state tournament by besting the field in the regular season.

Despite the high expectations for success in the region tourney, the Raiders had an extremely frustrating 24 hours.

Friday night, No. 4 seed Johns Creek dominated Alpharetta in the semifinals, 46-18, the largest losing margin for the Raiders all season. On Saturday, the Raiders did not fare much better against Pope.

The Greyhounds charged to a 15-4 lead and outscored Alpharetta 20-6 in

the second quarter to lead by 25 points at the half. Pope doubled the Raiders’ scoring in the third ahead of a shortened, 6-minute fourth quarter.

Simone Lett led the Raiders with nine points followed by six from Njeri Lewis.

“Teams are making adjustments, and we’re just not combating them,” Alpharetta head coach Rickey Jordan said. “Teams are packing it in on the zone against us, our shooters have gone ice cold, we’re having a hard time driving and finishing. We just need to get back to the gym and try to get better this week one day at a time.”

Jordan said his team will need to regroup ahead of the state tournament which tips of Feb. 14-15 with the Raiders as the No. 4 seed from the region. Part of that regrouping goes beyond schemes and plays, it deals with a team atmosphere.

“I want the girls to be supportive,” Jordan said. “This is frustrating on all ends, the players, the coaches. And as young women, I want them to stay in it, be supportive of one another through the frustration. Hold your teammates accountable, but be a support for them.”

Alpharetta will go on the road to face the Region 5 champion in the first round of the state tournament.

JOHNS CREEK 48, CAMBRIDGE 43

Johns Creek girls hold off Bears to capture school’s first region title

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek girls basketball made history Saturday night with a 48-43 win over Cambridge in the 7-AAAAAA tournament, the first region basketball title for any Gladiators team, boys or girls.

The win continued the rising trajectory of a program that had never reached the state playoffs four years ago. After earning their first state bid in 2017-18, the Gladiators returned last season and will enter this year’s bracket as a No. 1 seed with a region championship under their belt.

“This group has fought and fought, and the three seniors we have this year have played all four years,” Johns Creek head coach Kirk Call said. “They kept getting closer and closer, and to get over that hump, I’m just so happy for them.”

To capture the title, the Gladiators had to outperform a Cambridge squad that is having its best season in program history and chasing its first region crown.

The two championship-hungry teams

battled throughout the contest, with the largest margin of the night a 10-point Johns Creek lead. Despite exchanging blows, Johns Creek built its lead to double digits in the third quarter and held the charging Bears in the fourth period to secure the region crown.

It was quite the birthday present for Call, with his squad singing “Happy Birthday” to him before accepting the championship trophy.

“It was the best thing they could have given me,” Call said.

The first half featured physical play and a defensive battle from both teams with the Gladiators building a 26-21 lead at the half. Johns Creek was led throughout the night by junior Carson Tanguilig, who had an exceptional first half with 13 points, nine rebounds and a steal. She also drew two charges in the second quarter. The guard finished the night with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

“Defensively they were so locked in early and did such a good job of having each other’s backs,” Call said. “It took [Cambridge] out of what they wanted

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SPORTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 15

CHATTAHOOCHEE 66, CAMBRIDGE 56

Cougars charge back in fourth quarter to down Cambridge for region title

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Heading into Saturday night’s Region 7-AAAAAA boys championship game featuring No. 3 seed Cambridge and No. 1 seed Chattahoochee, Cougars’ head coach Chris Short had thoughts of this time last year.

In 2019, his squad was the favorites to capture the No. 1 seed for the region tournament and seemed destined to reach the finals. However, Hooch dropped its last two regular season region games, relegating the Cougars to the No. 2 seed. In the semifinals of the 2019 region tourney, Hooch dropped a 72-70 heartbreaker to the North Atlanta in the semifinals on what Short called, “kind of a fluke call.” And with that result, the Cougars’ hopes of earning the region crown were dashed after expectations had been so high.

So Short was especially pleased with his team downing the defending region champs Saturday for Hooch’s first region title since 2012.

“I’m so happy for our kids,” Short said. “We have talked a lot about this moment since that moment a year ago.”

But at the end of the third quarter, it appeared the Cougars’ might once again fall short of the 7-AAAAAA championship.

The teams were deadlocked in the first half, but when the horn blew to start the third quarter, Cambridge seized on the Cougars. The Bears forced empty Chattahoochee possessions, scored quickly in transition and grabbed defensive boards to open the period on a 17-2 run to lead 45-30.

But before the Bears could completely run away with the game, Hooch began to reel them in. The Cougars responded with a run of their own to cut Cambridge’s lead to 50-40 entering the fourth.

If the third quarter belong to the Bears, there was no question the fourth was all Chattahoochee.

“Our seniors have learned, and everything we’ve been through and our schedule as a team to prep us for these moments, I think it showed in the fourth quarter for us to be resilient and not give up,” Short said.

Hooch junior guard AJ White knocked down a three, and Region Player of the Year Cameron Sheffield also converted from beyond the arc to kick off a run that nearly erased Cambridge’s lead in the opening two minutes of the quarter.

The Cougars never let up.

Suddenly the Bears had their backs against the wall with Chattahoochee running a zone trap defense, a scheme

E.J. White looks to work around Hooch defender Gil Matondo. not used often by the Cougars, but one that gave the Bears fits.

“We haven’t run that zone to create the trap and create some turnovers,” Short said. “But the thought behind it worked, and it did what it was supposed to do.”

JOE PARKER/HERALd

The Bears struggled against the trap and could not seem to find an uncontested shot. It did not help their cause that the shots they were taking were off the mark.

Eventually, Hooch would score 18 points in the fourth before the Bears

had netted more than two to lead 58-52 with two minutes remaining. The Bears added just one more basket for a total of six points in the final quarter, allowing Hooch to claim the region crown.

“Cambridge hit us in the mouth a lot tonight, hats off to them and coach [Chip] Flemmer does a great job coaching those guys,” Short said. “There is a reason whey they have played in three straight championship games. They played a great game, but we just hung in there. I’m just so proud of our kids.

Our seniors deserve it, they have worked their butts off.”

White led all scorers with 28 points, and Sheffield netted 23 with 10 rebounds. Cambridge was led by wing E.J. Smith, who scored 23 points, 16 of which came in the senior’s standout first half performance. Senior forward Sola Adebisi had four points and nine rebounds while junior Davis Sager netted 12 points with nine rebounds for the Bears.

Chattahoochee and Cambridge will host in the first round of the state tournament which tips off Feb. 14-15.

“The name of the game right now is 1-0,” Short said. “Season two is now, and we want to be prepared.”

A lot of people ask us ‘Why Johns Creek?’

We want to put Johns Creek on the map.

Michael He, founder of Lovol Media

16 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020

North Fulton native returns to develop his own startup

By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A North Fulton native is looking to shake up the digital advertisement game.

Michael He, founder of Lovol Media, grew up in Alpharetta and studied economics and computer science at Harvard University. He worked with startup investing firms in Silicon Valley, before he decided to leave California and create a startup of his own, based in Technology Park in Johns Creek.

“There’s a lot of technical talent here, and business talent as well,” He said.

“In places like Silicon Valley and New York, it’s very crowded and expensive to launch a pilot of this scale.”

His device is an LED screen than can be mounted in the rearview window of a car. Drivers may already be familiar with advertisement on the top of taxis, but He says Lovol is a totally new technology.

While top-of-car ads may work in pedestrian-friendly New York City, the rear window placement is better for traffic-congested cities like Atlanta, he said.

The digital screen also allows advertisers to geo-target their desired customers.

“If you have a restaurant, we could

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say every car within five miles who has their device will show your ad,” He said. “As soon as you enter the five-mile radius, you can see, say, Wendy’s is nearby. ‘Turn right. There’s a McDonald’s.’ It gives people a hyperlocal way of targeting.”

He said Lovol offers an inventive and relatively inexpensive advertising solution.

“It really helps the advertisers because they can reach a lot more people a lot more effectively,” He said. “With billboards and online advertisement, people have mentally trained themselves to block out the ads. This is a new ad space that people haven’t expected before.”

For drivers, Lovol is targeting people who already drive professionally, like through Uber, Lyft or Doordash.

“This is a way for them to keep driving the routes they already take while earning a supplemental income without doing anything but putting it on their car,” He said.

There is often a bust and boom cycle for tech startups. With companies like Uber, Airbnb and Bird scooters excitement and promise turned into criticism and regulation.

He said that’s why Lovol is taking things slowly, working with law enforce-

ment to ensure safety features are in place and starting with advertisements for local businesses before they pick up any big names.

Longterm, He and his small team say they want to see Lovol Media go national

and maybe even international.

“A lot of people ask us ‘Why Johns Creek?’” He said. “We want to put Johns Creek on the map.”

To follow updates for Lovol Media, visit lovolmedia.com.

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CARSON COOK/Herald

Michael He shows off the patented advertisement technology behind Lovol Media.

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 17

How the coronavirus sunk mortgage rates I was talking to a client last week who works at the CDC and was doing data analysis on the coronavirus that has swept China. She had heard mortgage rates were really low and was asking Geoff smith about a refinance. I Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com blew her mind when I told her the low rates were in large part due to the virus.

She assumed I was joking. I most certainly was not.

In short, here is what happened: Investors freaked out and pulled their money from the stock market. Then, they put it into safer investments like 10-year Treasuries, which caused the yield to drop and mortgage interest rates along with it.

Mortgage interest rates are loosely pegged to the yield on the U.S. Treasury’s 10-year note. Why? Because most people move in 7-10-year cycles.

Check this out: On Jan. 17, a second death was reported in Wuhan Other cities from across the globe reported new cases of the virus, and health authorities in the U.S. announced that three airports would start screening passengers arriving from that city. This was the day people started to realize this could be something serious.

On Friday, Jan. 17, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had risen for seven straight days and was at 29,348. By the end of the following Monday, it had dropped to 29,196. By Jan. 27 it had tanked to 28,536, according to the Wall Street Journal. On Jan.17, the 10-year yield was at 1.823 percent. It stayed flat the following Monday, then reacted strongly to the stock market’s plummet, and yields fell to 1.509 percent by Jan. 31.

As for mortgage rates, according to MortgageNewsDaily’s daily survey, the

It’s like if a week before the Super Bowl, news broke that both teams were infected with the flu. Would you bet on a team not knowing who on each team was infected? Probably not. average rate for a conventional 30-year mortgage was at 3.7 percent on Jan. 17.

By Jan. 31, it had plummeted to 3.47 percent.

It was a pretty wild time for us lenders. On Monday, Jan. 27, we saw rates continue downward. On Tuesday, an independent international auditing agency released a statement saying they were impressed with China’s response to the virus, and rates actually ticked up a bit. Then on Wednesday, news reports came out saying that China’s reports on the virus and number of people infected were misleading, and rates continued back downward.

My CDC friend asked me, “Why are investors so worried about this virus?

What does it have to do with the stock market?”

I think to some degree, it’s because it’s a new virus and details about it are unknown. China has literally locked people in their houses, which keeps them from going to work. This is a country that accounts for 20 percent of the world’s manufacturing output. If they all of a sudden stop manufacturing, there is going to be worldwide economic ramifications.

The stock market is our country’s largest legalized gambling entity. Investors are betting on companies that they think will win profits in the near and distant future. It’s like if a week before the Super Bowl, news broke that both teams were infected with the flu. Would you bet on a team not knowing who on

each team was infected? Probably not.

You’d probably wait to hear which key players were infected.

It’s kind of the same thing with the stock market, except investors always want their money working. So instead of just pulling it from the stock market and holding it in their banks, they put it into things with a guaranteed rate of return.

The rate of return on those instruments is much lower than what they could earn in a winning stock market, so they keep their clients’ monies there only until they get a better understanding of which companies and markets will grow in the coming economy.

It’s been a wild ride that has saved a lot of homeowners a whole lot of money.

If you have an interest rate of over 4 percent on your mortgage, you should quickly have someone run the numbers on a refinance. A cure for this flu, which I do recognize as a good thing, would likely shove rates back up quickly.

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial focusing on residential home loans for refinances and home purchases.

Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

Retaining customers begins by knowing their expectations Are you meeting your customer’s expectations? Are your customers satisfied? Existing customers are the source of current revenue, future sales and referrals to others. Statistics dick jones Founder & President indicate that it is Jones Simply Sales six to seven times more expensive to attract a new customer than it is to sell an existing customer. As such, retaining current customers should be a No. 1 priority for every small business owner.

Retaining customers begins by gaining a thorough understanding of their expectations and priorities.

Oftentimes, this is unknown, unclear or internally defined by company personnel. In most cases, companies have not taken the time to actually ask their customers what they want.

Deploying a customer satisfaction management system in your small business will ensure that you are developing and delivering your products and services based on what your customers want, not what you think they want.

A simple three-step process will allow you to implement this. First, talk with your customers to understand their expectations. This can be done through interviews or focus groups.

Next, have your customers prioritize their expectations by ranking the ones that they value the most. And finally, use the ranked list and have your current customers rate your performance.

A simple survey can be used to do this.

Satisfied customers buy more, are more loyal and recommend you to others. It is definitely an asset to your business to have satisfied customers and having a customer satisfaction management system is a proven approach to accomplishing this.

18 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

COMPASSION in PRACTICE Here’s how Alpharetta’s Rucker family is connected to Appalachia and Uganda

RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmediagroup.com

I

This is the first in a series of articles about local people and local organizations who are making a difference in our world.

Look for stories and podcasts about a local 13-year-old who started an outreach in Uganda and continues to support more than 300 school children there; about a local guy who is feeding a large percentage of Atlanta’s homeless; about another local person who is building wells and hospitals in Kenya and more.

North Fulton and South Forsyth are full of people doing amazing, generous, compassionate things that can inspire us all. If you know of local individuals who are making differences either big like this or small (they all count), please drop me an email so we can possibly work on their story too! My email is RayAppen@gmail.com.

ran into two of our long-time friends Ralph and Sarah Rucker this past December at a multi-domination pre-Christmas service in Alpharetta.

Ralph mentioned that in the morning, he and his wife were driving up to Stearns, Kentucky, with a shipping container.

Of course, the reporter in me had to ask “why?” I was rewarded with yet another example of how, despite the darkness from all that seems to be going wrong in our world, I can still see light and grace.

Ralph, Sarah and another couple, Larry and Joyce Smith of Cumming, were driving the container of Christmas presents for about 350 kids who live in and around Stearns, a small town in the coal-mining region of Kentucky — abject poverty, endemic unemployment, rampant addiction. The bundles contained toys, clothing, food and other items that, according to Sarah, were the only Christmas presents a majority of the kids would receive.

I was a bit startled because that’s a lot of gifts, and I couldn’t imagine how they managed to transport it or how he and Sarah found the time and money to buy it all. They’re not rich and both still work for a living, even though they are nearing their 80s. It sounded like a huge and expensive undertaking.

“Well, we had a little (actually a lot) help from our friends,” replied Ralph.

“A friend of ours heard that we were looking for a big truck and offered us the use of a shipping container that he used for his business. I told him that we didn’t have anything that could carry it, and he offered us the use of his own truck, and driver too,” Ralph said.

Ralph said this Christmas outreach has been going on for almost 20 years,

and they’ve been involved for the past five years or so. They drive up to Stearns at the beginning of August each year and interview all the children identified by a local outreach as needing help.

“For each of the 350 individual kids we get a photo, a name, age, and we find out what they want and need,” Ralph said. “We also get to know the kids a little while we are at it. We budget $200 for presents for each child. Sarah and I and Larry and Joyce pay for as much of it as we can, and we have help from other folks out in the community.”

Preparation lasts all year Ralph said buying for the kids lasts all year. His wife watches for sales at local stores and supporters donate money.

Their home operates as the “present storage warehouse.”

By the end of August, Ralph and Sarah have acquired all the gifts and they gather and have a packaging party at their home.

“Filling that container this year was a whole lot of toys, cloths and other gifts,” Ralph said, “but we always have a good group of volunteers working with us and our wrapping party actually is a special time.”

The outreach that Ralph and Sarah work with is called Integrated Community Ministries, founded by Barbara and Hilton Duncan of McCreary County, Kentucky.

When they began their outreach, the high school graduation rate was 52 percent.

Now, 20 years later, it is 94 percent in an area of the country that, considering what life roadblocks there are in the region, is unheard of – sort of a miracle.

Barbara and Hilton began their outreach by getting personally involved, by embedding themselves in the schools and

To view a photo gallery of the Christmas Celebration with all the kids and the Ruckers and Smiths, please visit NorthFulton.com. in the families of the area. They met with the children and the parents. They listened.

They cheered. They coached and taught.

They became living examples and proof that the “outside world” actually did care and that each child, each parent was important and had standing.

Then they showed the kids and the community paths to growth, to careers and employment, to practical life skills that so many of us take for granted, like managing money, peer relationships, stress management, interviewing skills, resume writing and goal-setting.

The chicken story When I asked Ralph how he and Sarah got connected from Alpharetta to something going on in Kentucky, Ralph told me a story that both helped provide context to who was being helped and the type of person my friend Ralph Rucker is.

Ralph recounted that he and Sarah were attending a New Year’s Eve party in Alpharetta at a mutual friend’s home — Steve Beecham (who also has his own outreach story to tell I believe). At the party, they met one of the bluegrass musicians who told the Ruckers about the terrible conditions for many up in the coal mining region. He told them about an outreach he worked with up in Kentucky, Integrated Community Ministries.

So Ralph being Ralph, he and Sarah decided to drive up to Kentucky and see for themselves.

When they arrived, the Duncans gave them a tour of the town, showed them the coal mines, and gave them a sense of place and people. About midway through the “tour,” Hilton suddenly stopped the car and started backing up.

“I want you to meet a man who lives here,” he said. “There are so many who live in this town who are in a similar situation as he is and, well, I just think you should meet him.”

HOW TO DONATE Ralph & Sarah Rucker Christmas & School Outreach Contact Ralph & Sarah Rucker at 678-898-7237 for more info. If you would like to donate, tax-deductible checks can be made to the following: “Integrated Community Ministries” Ralph & Sarah Rucker 111 Henderson Lake Drive Canton, GA 30115 Sarah will forward checks to ICM. This will help Ralph & Sarah keep track of your donations for their planning/budgeting purposes.

Integrated Community Ministries www.ky-icm.org 4837 Rattlesnake Ridge Road Stearns, KY 42647 606-376-8180 He was a coal miner for many years and now had black lung.

It was summer and hot. The screened door of the house was propped open. The yard was cluttered and not a blade of grass was visible. Ralph could see the rotting wood and flaking paint on the clapboard walls of the house as they approached.

As they entered, they were accompanied by a group of chickens who followed them right into the house. “You going to let them chickens come into your house,” asked Ralph to the 12-year-old Jacob who had greeted the Ruckers when they first pulled up. “They’re OK,” Jacob replied. “They sleep in a box that Grandma has back there in that room.”

Before they returned to the car, Jacob told Ralph that he wanted to show him something. He led Ralph down a couple blocks to a tiny outdoor produce market where Jacob showed Ralph his own little

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 19

13-year-old granddaughter, Abi Rucker, and her Uganda Outreach

booth with chickens and quail for sale.

They talked for a good time about Jacob’s little business and his life, as only a grown man “from the city” with a kind heart and a 12-year-old coal miner’s son can.

Later, before he left, Ralph pulled out his wallet and gave Jacob $250.

“I want to loan you this money,” said Ralph “so you can expand your business Jacob. You seem like a smart boy and I want to help you. You can pay me back someday.”

With that, he shook Jacob’s hand and said he would see him next year.

Following Jacob’s progress In the years that followed, the Ruckers would always make a point to try to look up Jacob to see how he was doing.

Jacob eventually left McCreary County and graduated college, Ralph thinks, with a degree in graphic design.

And the $250 loan? Jacob repaid it the year after Ralph gave him the money.

“Jacob, you don’t have to do this,” Ralph recalled saying.

Jacob replied: “But you told me it

was a loan and I promised to repay you Mr. Rucker.”

“Oh, I get by with a little help (actually a lot of help) from my friends. Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends.

With a little help from my friends. “ I consider myself blessed to have friends like Ralph and Sarah Rucker. They are just plain folk like any other, yet they lead lives that make a difference in so many ways. However, their kindness and empathy are not just character or personality traits, it is who they are and how they live. And the difference that their acts make in our world, is not confined just to their individual acts; it is contagious.

I have come to see and understand that all behavior — both good and bad — tends to generate more like behavior.

If you do good, more good will be done, and vice versa.

In closing, one of my favorite takeaways from my Appalachian Trail hike was when I came to understand something that 99 percent of every AT thru hiker comes away with sooner or later from their hike. It is the understanding that

McCreary County, Kentucky l Holds the distinction of being the poorest county in the United States.

l The average annual income is $12,000, and in their particular community, the average annual income is $19,000 with two people in the family working.

Listen to the podcast If this really has sparked an interest with you about these amazing compassionate, very cool local people, don’t miss their podcast “From Alpharetta to Appalachia to Africa” coming soon. And if you know of folks doing wonderful outreaches like these — large or small — drop me an email so we can possibly work on their story too! My email is RayAppen@gmail.com. “the trail will provide.” It’s not conditional.

It’s a fact, born from experience. That is, we can and will take care of each other.

Life “off the trail” I think surely must be the same in that aspect as “life on the trail,” but maybe it is a bit more difficult to see and understand back in civilization. But it’s there, and people like Ralph and Sarah Rucker, like Abi and her Aunt Deann, are shining a bright light on it to help us all see it more clearly.

l The government owns 80 percent of the land, so there is no property tax income for most of the county.

Continued on Page 20 l Because mining is no longer practiced in this community, the nearest work is two hours away where there is a chicken processing plant and a few other opportunities.

Here is an example of the impact that Ralph has had on others.

A number of years ago, Ralph’s granddaughter, Abi, and his oldest daughter, Deann, Sarah, Deann started an outreach in and Abi Rucker Africa called “New Hope.”

“You fly into Entebbe, Uganda and then drive for another two-three hours into the bush to get to the village that Abi and Deann sort of adopted,” said Ralph. “It all started when Abi was 13 and told her mom that she wanted to go to Africa and help people. Her mom said “no, that’s not realistic.”

So she talked her aunt Deann into going with her. Ruckers, at least the ones I know, are a stubborn bunch. Don’t get in their way or you might get run over. Today, Abi’s’s outreach has helped build two orphanages and keeps over 300 children in school with their ongoing financial support.

What makes a person become like a Rucker? I say in part, family does.

Ruckers are one of the oldest families here in North Fulton. Generations of Ruckers have lived here and still do.

(See the profile that accompanies this article about Rucker history; it’s fascinating.)

If you want to read more about this Rucker named Abi and the orphanages, she and her aunt Deann helped build and continue to support, look for that in The Herald newpapers soon. And that just might include a video of Ralph Rucker doing the Ugandan version of hip-hop dancing miles out in the bush.

l According to census data, 69.8 percent of the residents graduate from high school, 7.6 percent graduate from college.

l The median home value is $65,800.

20 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

COMPASSION in PRACTICE Continued from Page 19

Barbara and Hilton Duncan’s their community outreach Barbara Duncan, who, along with her husband Hilton, started Integrated Community Ministries, was raised and still lives in the community. ICM operates from a community center built on the family property where she, her parents and sister grew up.

“This is a nice facility constructed and furnished by many different groups,” Barbara said. “They have Bible Study groups and youth meeting there, as well as provide a gathering place for people to stop by and check on friends and neighbors.

They operate a food pantry, clothes closet, and a library as well as two bunk houses, with 22 bunk beds in each house with a kitchen and eating area for visitors.”

Barbara has done mission work in the community since she was a young girl, and her heart tug for the people is stronger than the financial opportunities she might find if she left the area. She and Hilton started this ministry as a team, while both THE DUNCANS working full-time jobs. They soon realized the ministry was a full-time job for both.

Barbara and Hilton are college graduates. They have a son, who is a college grad working for the State Department and a daughter who will get her nursing degree this year.

Their goals are to teach people about the Lord, make life as comfortable as possible for the elderly and widows, and help children and young people understand that an education makes the difference in choosing what you want to do and doing what you have to do. They are happy that many of “their kids” are finishing high school and going on to college. The children

go to public school, some catching the bus as early as 5 a.m. and getting home after dark. The children have no electronics but can use computers at the Center. They can come to the Center for extra help, support and encouragement at any time.

While these people are poor and uneducated, they are a proud people. They hesitate to accept handouts, so they pay 19 cents a pound for items they get from the Clothes Closet.

They carried backpacks and were able to give away clothes by calling it “Back to School” Day. Backpacks, school clothes and shoes were free that day. In October they carried 300 coats and jackets, plus other things. That was another “free day.”

The Center feeds about 200 families (600 people) a month from the Food Pantry that is as clean and neat as can be. They use donated food and food bought from the Food Bank for 19 cents a pound. The amount of food a family receives is based on the number in the household and their income. We have never personally witnessed such a simple, mutual love between people.

The Rucker family: A bit of local history Used with permission and excerpted from the “Rucker Family Genealogy” by Susie Rucker Wood and available from Amazon

A

s you travel the roads around Milton and surrounding areas, have you ever considered the families honored by road names? Just imagine, they were lured to the beautiful area like many today. The community of Crabapple, once described as “The Garden Spot of North Fulton,” was the location chosen by the Rucker family in 1833. Travel back with me for the story of how the Ruckers came as immigrants to America and later migrated to Crabapple.

The Rucker Coat of Arms, was first used by Johan Von Rucker, of Vienna, a crusader in 1096. The name then branches off to Livonia, Bavaria, Holland, France and England. From the beginning of the 17th century, the Ruckers were famous for making exquisite harpsichords, decorated by such artists as Rubens. Rucker harpsichords are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments.

Peter Rucker, thought to be of German descent, was the first Rucker immigrant to settle on American soil, arriving in Virginia between 1690 to 1700.

He traveled on the ship “The Rising Son,” loaded with 700 passengers, many French Huguenots. The story relates that the ship wrecked just before reaching the shores of Virginia. Peter gambled in a game of seven-up to see who would win the last remaining keg of rum to be used to float to shore. Peter was victori-

ous and floated onto the banks of the James River in Virginia. The descendants living in and around the Milton area have stuck to this legend through the years. Sounds exactly like an antic a Rucker descendant would love.

Peter Rucker settled in Essex County, Va., and there he raised his 10 children.

As the children left their home and married, many migrated south. Peter’s son, George, the ancestor of the Crabapple Ruckers, migrated to Franklin County, Ga. One of George’s sons, Simeon Bluford Rucker, along with his wife, and his mother, Catherine, left Franklin County and arrived in the area of Crabapple in 1833. He built a log cabin, which still stands today at 755 Old Rucker Road and is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. The first internment in the Rucker Cemetery, possibly the earliest marked cemetery in the area, was Simeon’s mother, Catherine Ehart Rucker (1760-1835). At that time, the cemetery was on land owned by Simeon Bluford but is now part of Wallace Woods Subdivision.

Many other notable homes and businesses in the area are attributed to Ruckers and listed on an inventory of places that appear to meet the National Register Criteria. Among those are the Joel Jackson Rucker Home and business, Rucker Cotton Gin, Rucker Warehouse, Rucker-Wright Home, L.G. Rucker Home, Troy Rucker Home, and the Harry Rucker, Sr. Home.

Ruckers were known to work and play hard as well as contribute to the community they loved. Many worked

SPECIAL

the ground producing cotton and corn for their livelihood. Others, such as George Derrell Rucker, established a newspaper, The Alpharetta Free Press, was the county school superintendent, secretary of the Rucker Cotton Seed Company, postmaster of the area, president of the Milton County Bank and a steward of the Methodist Church.

A contribution that was appreciated by young and old alike was a donation of land for the Crabapple Ball Field. In the early ’60s, Harry Rucker, Sr. and Joel Jackson Rucker each contributed property to be used by the community for baseball. Youth teams and young at heart shared the fields and many hours of entertainment and excitement.

Many Rucker men were known for their athleticism in baseball and went on to play professionally. Nap Rucker played for a Brooklyn team, later called The Brooklyn Dodgers, and John Ruck-

er played with the New York Giants.

John was also featured on the cover of Life Magazine April, 1940.

Other Ruckers worked hard to preserve the beauty of the area we enjoy today. In 1970, Harry Rucker, Jr. and many other activists, including Celestine Sibley, writer for the Atlanta Constitution, worked diligently to prevent Atlanta’s second airport being built in the North Fulton area. Imagine what the pristine beauty of the area would be today if not for the hard work of those who loved the land.

Hopefully this has piqued your interest in a family that took a chance in 1833 to venture to a new area to establish their home. This is not unlike those that have moved to Milton and the surrounding area in recent years.

So, as you drive down Rucker Road, I hope this gives you a deeper appreciation of one of the original families that chose to make Milton home.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 21

22 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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CALENDAR Parkway, Alpharetta More info and registration: northpoint.org/oasis

PORTIA TEWOGBADE: BOOK READING AND SIGNING

Portia Tewogbade will read from her latest book, “Red Was the Midnight.” Tewogbade is an award-winning author and former English teacher for Georgia Tech and Nigeria’s Federal Government College in Kaduna. Her short stories have appeared in African Voices, Mobius: The Journal of Social Change and Hawaii Pacific Review. Join the reading Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell.

For more information, visit roswellroots.org.

feature YOUR EVENT online and in print!

CAMP ALEFBET 2020

What: Creative programming, experienced educators and happy campers for babies to Pre-K. When: June 1-July 30, Mondays-Fridays, flexible hours Where: Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Atlanta Cost: Prices vary More info: alefbetpreschool.com

EVENTS: THE WOMEN OF ROSWELL: A STAGED READING

It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people both online and in the Herald Newspapers.

To promote your event, follow these easy steps: 1. Visit NorthFulton.com/Calendar; 2. Click the red button that reads “Go to Form” under the submit an event header; 3. Provide the details for your event including title, description, location and date; 4. Click the red button that reads “Create event” 5. Select to either feature your event online only for $25 or online and in print for $40 (print submissions must be submitted at least two weeks prior to event.)

What: Based on actual events, Robin Seidman Pullen’s play examines the story of mill workers in 1864 Roswell who were tried for treason for making confederate soldier uniforms.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

FEATURED:

What: Listen to the stories, lessons, and words of wisdom from current and past residents discussing their experiences growing up in Roswell.

When: Sunday, Feb. 16, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Pleasant Hill Church, 725 Pleasant Hill St., Roswell www.roswellroots.org

CONCERTO COMPETITION SHOWCASE CONCERT

What: Come hear the winners of the tenth annual Samuel Fordis Concerto Competition perform with the Georgia Philharmonic.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Lassiter Concert Hall, 2601 Shallowford Road, Marietta Cost: $10-25 More info and tickets: eventbrite.com

YELLOWJACKETS ON VALENTINE’S DAY

What: Seventeen-time Grammynominated jazz fusion band, the Yellowjackets, return to Georgia to kick off their 2020 season on Valentine’s Day. When: Friday, Feb. 14, 6-10:30 p.m.

Where: The Legacy Theater, 12150 Morris Road, Alpharetta Cost: $89 More info and tickets: yellowjacketsvalentines.eventbrite.com

GOLDEN BEAD GALA

What: Enjoy a live auction, silent auction, dinner, drinks and dancing, with proceeds going toward the Alpharetta International Academy Montessori School’s building fund to update the primary classrooms.

When: Friday, Feb. 21, 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Where: The Metropolitan Club, 5895 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: $80 More info and tickets: qtego. net/qlink/aiamontessori

BLACKSTORY: WORKS BY AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS

TELLING OUR STORY: GROVEWAY COMMUNITY

What: This exhibition showcases contemporary African American artists working in a variety of media and representing multiple perspectives on the African diaspora and/or African American culture, history or experience.

When: Opening reception Saturday, Feb. 1, 6-7:30 p.m.; works on display through Feb. 29 Where: Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Building 700, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekarts.org

ROSWELL ROOTS FESTIVAL

OASIS

What: Fairies and gnomes have been busy building all new homes for the Enchanted Woodland Trail. Whimsical works line the trails – slow down and search for the fairy houses made from tiny natural objects.

When: Jan. 9-Feb. 29 Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell More info: chattnaturecenter.org

What: Divorce and separation is painful. North Point Community Church offers eight week mentorled groups to connect attendees with support to help move toward healing and personal restoration.

When: Weekly, starting Thursday, Feb. 13, 7-9 p.m.

Where: North Point Community Church, 4350 North Point

What: Roswell will celebrate Black History Month with a series of unique and fun events for everyone. Roswell Roots is the largest and most comprehensive celebration of black history and culture in the state.

When: Multiple events throughout the month of February Where: Throughout the City of Roswell More info and full schedule: roswellgov.com

ENCHANTED WOODLAND TRAIL

SMART RECOVERY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

What: This program uses science-based tools to provide support for those who are affected by the addictive behavior of someone close to them. Not a twelve step program.

When: Mondays, 7-8 p.m.

Where: DecisionPoint Wellness Center, 1070 State Bridge Road, Suite 6, Johns Creek More info: smartrecovery.org

TAKE-A-PEEK TUESDAY

What: Take a quick peek at Autrey Mill’s building collections and hear about the preservation and research efforts.

When: Tuesdays, noon-2 p.m.

Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek Cost: $2 More info: autreymill.org

ALL RECOVERY MEETING

What: Join an open discussion for those in recovery from addiction or those affected by people with addiction. Not a twelve-step program.

When: Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Emory Johns Creek Hospital, 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek More info: navigaterecoverygwinnett.org or 678-743-1808 x101

WEDNESDAY MORNING NETWORKING

What: Join for networking every Wednesday morning.

When: Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Where: Perimeter Church, 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek Cost: $5 for members, $10 for guests More info: johnscreekga.gov or 770-495-0545

HEALTH AND FITNESS: YOGA FOR BEGINNERS

What: All are welcome to learn simple but powerful yoga postures to help balance and stabilize your system. No prior experience necessary. Free.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 9-11 a.m.

Where: Prime Combat Sports, 4415 Front 9 Drive #500, Cumming More info and to register: innerengineering.com

WORLD WAR II ROUNDTABLE

What: Atlanta World War II Roundtable invites the public to attend its luncheon meeting. The featured speaker is Colonel Patricia Blassie. Lunch included in price.

When: Thursday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Where: United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody Cost: $20 per person. $15 for WW2 veterans More info and registration: atlantaww2roundtable@ gmail.com or 770-457-4409

TOTALLY HAPPY FEET RUN/ WALK GROUP

What: Be a part of this weekly group run. The 3-mile run will start at the trailhead on McFarland Pkwy just down the street from Halcyon.

When: Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Starts at Big Creek Greenway Trailhead, 1622 McFarland Parkway, Alpharetta More info: visithalcyon.com/ events/totally-happy-feet-runwalk-group-halcyon

RUNNING CLUB

What: Join Alpharetta’s new, free social running group. Be prepared to run between 2-4 miles each meeting.

When: Meets twice a week, Mondays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m.

Where: Meet at the Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell St., Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

FREE FITNESS FOR WOMEN

What: Join your Alpharetta Females in Action group for free, peer-led workouts each week.

Adult women of all fitness levels are welcome.

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m.

Where: Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming More info: fianation.com

CALENDAR

RELIGIOUS EVENTS:

MEN’S MINISTRY: FRIDAY MORNINGS

CHILDREN’S CLASSES

What: Baha’i children’s classes awaken the spiritual capacities of children, encouraging them to develop essential human virtues.

When: First and third Sunday of every month, 10:30 a.m.noon Where: The Bahai’s of the Dunwoody Community, 5816 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta More info: 770-298-9993 or vojdanis@yahoo.com

YOUTH NIGHT

What: Youth gather for music, devotions, dinner and fellowship, and discuss topics like sacrifice, joyfulness, struggle, gratitude and more.

When: First Saturday of every month, 7-10 p.m.

Where: 4482 Fergus Way, Dunwoody More info: 770-757-3197 or mouzhan@yahoo.com

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL GATHERING

What: All are welcome to share prayers and readings from the sacred scriptures of all Faiths.

When: Sundays, 4-6 p.m.

Where: 1397 Wickendy Court, Dunwoody More info: 770-394-4539 or shayesteh8@gmail.com

CENTERING PRAYER GROUP

What: Explore meditation and silent prayer in a supportive group setting.

When: Fridays, 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, Room 205, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta More info: alpharettapres.com

What: The First Baptist Roswell men’s group meets every Friday morning for friendship and to help each other grow spiritually.

All are welcome to attend.

When: Fridays, 7 a.m.

Where: Panera Bread, 1195 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: fbroswell.org

THERAPEUTIC YOGA

What: Gain health benefits from relaxing yoga that emphasizes strength and flexibility. No experience necessary. Taught by an advanced certified yoga instructor.

When: Wednesdays, 9:45-11 a.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumc.com or 770261-1705

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS What: Make and grow faithbased friendships for all ages.

Enjoy a hot meal and/or volunteer.

When: Wednesdays, 5:15-6:45 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 North Main St., Alpharetta More info: afumc.org

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: ‘CHEEZUS CRUST, THAT’S FUNNY’

What: Join Rosati’s for an evening of stand-up laughter.

When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 8-10 p.m.

Where: Rosati’s Pizza and Sports Pub, 415 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming Cost: $5 per person or $25 for VIP Table for 4 guests More info and tickets: ticketleap.com

‘THE GLASS MENAGERIE’

What: Stage Door Players will continue its 46th anniversary season with the award-winning drama ‘The Glass Menagerie,’

by Tennessee Williams.

When: Jan. 24-Feb. 16, times vary Where: Stage Door Players, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $34 More info and tickets: 770-3961726 or stagedoorplayers.net

‘LEADING LADIES’

What: From the writer of “Lend Me a Tenor,” and “A Comedy of Tenors,” Ken Ludwig, comes the story of two broke Shakespearean actors who plan to impersonate the nephews of a wealthy dowager but suddenly discover the “nephews” are actually nieces.

When: Feb. 20-March 8, times vary Where: Georgia Ensemble Theatre, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info and tickets: get.org

QUESTIONABLE ORIGINS EXHIBIT

What: Sculptor Eileen Braun conjures the skeletal hulls and germinating pods of an infant organism in her biomorphic forms.

When: Through March 14, 11 a.m-6 p.m.

Where: Spruill Gallery, 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta More info: spruillarts.org

SPOTLIGHT EXHIBIT: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF JIM ALEXANDER

What: Jim Alexander is an award-winning documentary photographer who has amassed a large collection of images of Black culture and human rights photographs.

When: Jan. 9-March 31 Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: jimalexanderphotography.com

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 25

‘AILEY REVEALED’

What: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns with six performances showcasing Ailey’s 32 dancers, including world premieres that shine a spotlight on social issues.

When: Feb. 20-23, times vary Where: The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $29 More info and tickets: alvinailey.org, foxatltix.com or 855285-8499

LIBRARY EVENTS: EAST ROSWELL LIBRARY BOOK SALE

What: Proceeds go toward supporting the library and its programs.

When: Feb. 14-16, times vary Where: Centennial Village Shopping Center,2300 Holcomb Bridge Road, Ste. 100-200, Roswell More info: afpls.org

SUMMER VOLUNTEEN INFORMATION SESSION

What: Rising 9th - 12th graders who are interested in joining the VolunTEEN program are required to attend an Information Session to be eligible to apply.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 1010:45 a.m.

Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega St., Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

SAT PRACTICE TEST

What: Test-like practice without test day pressure. Full-length proctored tests enable particpants to see where they stand on the test without the pressure of an official score.

When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org

PRESERVING FAMILY DOCUMENTS

What: Join David McDonough as he presents on “Preserving Your Important Family Documents.”

When: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or 404613-4402

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES

What: Join to practice your English skills with other learners. All materials will be provided by the instructor. No registration required.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell Info: afpls.org or 404-612-9700

GREAT DECISIONS 2020

What: Forsyth County Public Library and the University of North Georgia will present information and lead discussions on a range of fascinating and timely geopolitical topics.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.

Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega St., Cumming More info: forsythpl.org

ATTN: Summer Camp Leaders Don’t miss out promoting your camp!

There are 4 Summer Camp Sections in the Herald and Crier newspapers!

March 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

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MILTON HERALD

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Zip Code: 30004.

JOHNS CREEK HERALD

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Zip Codes: 30022, 30097.

FORSYTH HERALD

Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30040, 30041.

Delivers to 18,000 households every Thursday.

Zip Codes: 30338, 30350, 30360, 30346, 30319.

Call 770-442-3278 to reserve your space today!

26 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 27

28 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Iron-deficiency anemia

By MELANIE STEEN, CNM Modern OB/GYN

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common condition in pregnancy, affecting approximately one in six women. Without MELANIE iron, our bodies cannot STEEN, CNM produce the proper red blood cells that supply our tissues with oxygen. Because of the increasing demands for oxygen-rich blood to sustain a pregnancy, women are often found to be deficient, or anemic. Certain additional factors make a woman more susceptible to developing anemia, such as multiple gestation, short interval pregnancies, frequent vomiting, an iron-poor diet, and a heavy pre-pregnancy menstrual flow.

Women’s blood counts are often tested every trimester, as the demands for circulating red blood cells increase as the pregnancy progresses. Through a simple blood test, your provider can detect the amount of hemoglobin in your body. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. When your hemoglobin levels are low, AKA anemia, your body doesn’t receive adequate oxygen to all of

DR. j. reyes

DR. i. reyes

Nuria Nelkin, CNM

DR. KIM

DR. Kenkel

Emily Dixon, CNM

DR. MMBAGA

DR. Pereira

LIz Coleman, CNM

Kortney Rogers, CNM

its tissues. Consequently, we can see adverse symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, pale skin, headaches and dizziness. In addition, pregnancy outcomes can be affected, resulting in possible low birth weight, preterm birth, low iron stores in offspring, and increased susceptibility to infection.

Because of the negative implications, it is of vital importance to increase your iron stores if you have been diagnosed with anemia. The most effective prevention and first-line correction includes the addition of an iron-rich diet with accompanying vitamin C (orange juice) to enhance absorption. Some examples of

iron-rich foods include: green leafy veggies, collard greens, egg yolks, raisins, prunes, liver, oysters, and some fortified cereals. Pro-tip: utilizing cast-iron while cooking can increase the amount of iron you consume, as iron passes into your food from the cookware. In addition to a change in diet, depending on your deficiency, your provider may also encourage an oral iron supplementation of ferrous sulfate 2-3 times a day, or in severe cases, IV iron infusions.

If you have been diagnosed with anemia, or are experiencing any of the above symptoms, know that you are not alone.

Please speak with your Modern OB/GYN provider for more information.

(about 5-10% based on most estimates).

Rather, cancer is mostly due to poor lifestyle choices.

If you want to significantly reduce your odds of developing cancer, be sure to eat a plant-based diet full of fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains. Organic is best. Avoid processed, sugary food. Drink plenty of clean, filtered water. Exercise

regularly. Don’t smoke. Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Get plenty of sleep. Seek to minimize stress. Embrace a strong support system of family and friends.

Oh, and be sure to see your doctor for regular check-ups, including the recommended cancer screening tests.

Hopefully you won’t get cancer, but if you do, early detection is key.

How to prevent cancer

By Jonathan Stegall, MD The Center for Advanced Medicine February is National Cancer Prevention Month, so now is a great time to talk about how to prevent canDr. Stegall cer. To be honest, we aren’t doing a very good job of this in our society. The lifetime risk of developing cancer has been steadily rising, to the point that roughly 40% of the population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Why are we seeing so much cancer today?

You might wonder if cancer is simply due to genetic causes, but that is actually a very small cause of cancer today

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 29

30 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Emory Women’s Center at Findley Road expands service to include midwifery care Emory Women’s Center at Findley Road is excited to expand our women’s health service to include midwifery care. Our Certified Nurse-Midwives are experts in providing safe and satisfying personalized healthcare to mothers during pregnancy, labor, birth, and breastfeeding.

Our Certified Nurse-Midwives’ family-centered care extends throughout the postpartum period and beyond.

To make an appointment call: 404-778 - 3401

Emory Women’s Center at Findley Road is excited to expand our women’s health service to include midwifery care. Our Certified Nurse-Midwives are experts in providing safe and satisfying personalized healthcare to mothers during pregnancy, labor, birth, and breastfeeding. Our Certified Nurse-Midwives’ family-centered care extends throughout the postpartum period and beyond. While midwifery has roots in traditional birthing practices, the choice to use a midwife has become increasingly popular in our modern time, with the number of hospital births attended by midwives increasing annually. In 2018 National Vital Statistics Reports recorded that Certified Nurse-Midwives attended 351,968 births nationally, which represents 9.1% of total US births.

JANICE COLLINS, CNM

CHRISTINE HIGGINGS, CNM

ANTOINETTE LEEGREGORY, CNM

Midwifery at Findley Road FAQs What is a Certified Nurse Midwife?

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are classified as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). In addition to traditional RN training, CNMs complete coursework through an accredited master’s or doctoral degree program.

Our certifi­ed nurse-midwives can provide reproductive healthcare services, as well as care throughout and after delivery.

What services can a CMN provide outside of my pregnancy and delivery needs?

Emory CMNs complement our full range of women’s health services. Working in partnership with our OBGYNs, our CMNs may provide you other healthcare services such as: • Breastfeeding training and education • New parent education on infant care (i.e., SIDS and colic) • Birthing process preparation for

parents-to-be and counseling on issues including anesthesia and how to handle complications • Providing regular exams before and after childbirth • Staying with a mother during the labor and delivery process • Being on the lookout for complications that require medical intervention by one of our Emory Women’s Center OBGYNs • Providing postpartum care for mothers and infants OBGYN or CMN, how do I know which is right for me?

Part of the benefit of choosing Emory Women’s Center is the partnership with our Emory faculty obstetrics and gynecology physicians who are present twenty-four hours a day at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. If you have been diagnosed with a preexisting condition that may create a need for complex care management or cesarean delivery, our OB-GYNs are on-hand to assist in any pregnancy need to safely deliver your baby.

If you are interested in learning more about Emory Women’s Center at Findley Road or want to schedule an appointment with one of our Certified NurseMidwives, please contact us at 404-7783401. 12000 Findley Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30097.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Porcelain Veneers

BEFORE

AFTER

FILLING THE GAPS: Veneers, Implants and Dental Bonding

By Dr. David Remaley Roswell Dental Care Repairing broken, damaged teeth is at the heart of modern dentistry, allowing millions of people to have the smiles they want.

Damaged teeth can be incredibly detrimental to our self-image. Teeth that are stained or starting to yellow work to prematurely age us and create an overall less attractive appearance.

Repairing damaged teeth is typically done using three methods all offered by Roswell Dental Care — porcelain veneers, dental implants, and dental bonding — all of which help restore and brighten smiles.

How Porcelain Veneers Are Done We utilize the most updated technology available, one of which only 20% of the dental practices have upgraded to this technology. A computerized digital scan of the patient’s teeth is first made which helps create porcelain veneers customized to each patient. No more gooey, messy impressions! Temporary veneers are used between treatments.

After the temps are removed the custom veneers are bonded to teeth’s surface for immediate, visible improvement.

Veneer Candidates Patients with moderate to severe yellowing or stains across the surface of the teeth are great candidates because they repair and strengthen the surface.

Veneers also can repair teeth that are crooked or fixing large gaps between teeth.

Dental Implants Teeth with extensive damage may need more than just surface treatment.

Some teeth may be so damaged as to need replacement, which is where DENTAL IMPLANTS come in. Dental implants help repair teeth that are damaged and restore functionality for a beautiful, naturally healthy smile Dental Bonding Similar to veneers, DENTAL BONDING uses a process that targets the surface of the teeth to create a bright, beautiful smile again.

Dental bonding is a quick process with minimal downtime After choosing the correct shade for your teeth, the surfaces of the teeth are lightly etched and brushed with a bonding liquid that keeps the resin adhered to teeth. This resin is sculpted, molded, and hardened with a special light.

Interested in Learning More?

Our doctors are extensively trained in cosmetic dentistry and have helped many patients completely renew their smiles!

For more information about smile makeovers, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Remaley and Dr. Hood to have your smile evaluated and receive an accurate estimate for your treatment. Give Roswell Dental Care a call at 470.288.1152.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 31

32 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Why most people really should get the shingles vaccine

By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta The varicella zoster virus (Chickenpox virus) is insidious. It infects us when we are young then often lies in wait for decades. You can’t Dr. Taylor feel it. You can’t see it.

But it’s there, waiting to strike again – as a rash called shingles.

The virus’s opportunity to cause shingles often comes when our bodies have been worn down by another illness, an immunosuppressive medication such as prednisone or a stressful life event.

The virus starts to replicate; it emerges from its home in cell bodies called dorsal root ganglia near your spine or skull and travels down the nerves to a patch of skin where the virus erupts in a blistering, painful rash.

For many years, shingles was thought to be a mild condition – a painful rash that came, lasted a few weeks, then was gone. With time, shingles was recognized to carry the risk of serious long-term complications. For example, the virus that causes shingles can cause strokes or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain that can cause brain damage). If the virus reactivates in the facial nerve, shingles can cause paralysis of one side of the face and hearing damage. If the virus reactivates in a nerve that goes both to the nose and to the eye, then blindness can result (known as herpes ophthalmicus). So Red Alert: shingles on the face can be a vision or hearing emergency.

However, the much more common complication of shingles is “post-herpetic neuralgia,” which means nerve pain after herpes infection (VZV, the virus that causes shingles, is a member of the herpes family of viruses). Post-herpetic neuralgia is nothing to dismiss lightly.

It is a neurologic syndrome of pain, tingling, itching or other discomfort that occurs often for months to years after the rash of shingles has gone away. The pain can at times be debilitating. There

is no cure. One only hopes it improves with time. Medications like gabapentin can help treat the symptoms, but such medications carry their own side-effects and problems.

The CDC recommends that most individuals fifty years or older receive two shots of the Shingrix vaccine two to six months apart. Because protection from shingles is strongest only for the first five years after vaccination and most cases of shingles occur in those sixty and older, some physicians advocate getting vaccinated at age sixty or older instead of fifty. Dermatologists usually do not carry or administer the vaccine, so the exact age to be vaccinated should be discussed with your internist or family doctor as should any questions about whether re-vaccination is advisable after a number of years.

Why all the fuss? Is shingles really a common enough problem to worry about? Currently, about half of people living to age eighty five will develop shingles at some point in their lives, and post-herpetic neuralgia occurs in at least ten percent of cases of shingles.

Shingles is not fun. Its Norwegian name is “helvetesild” which means “hell’s fire.”

Many Norwegians are descendants of the Vikings, known to be a tough and stoic lot and if they call something “hell’s fire,” then it is worth avoiding!

Evidence is mixed, but treatment with valacylovir and other medications within 72 hours of the onset of shingles decreases pain and may decrease the chance of developing post-herpetic neuralgia. If you are ever worried you may have shingles, be sure to seek healthcare immediately and avoid and warn individuals who are pregnant, immunocompromised or who otherwise might be harmed by catching shingles, as the virus is contagious.

Dr. Brent Taylor is a board-certified dermatologist, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, and is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Surgical, medical and aesthetic services are available. If you or a loved one has a skin or vein care need, please consider making an appointment today.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Your long term care policy could be the key to staying in your own home Brought to You by — Home Helpers of Alpharetta You or your older loved one planned ahead years ago and bought a Long Term Care (LTC) Policy. While you’ve faithfully paid your premiums every year, it may be as long as 20 years or more since you reviewed what that policy can provide. As care needs begin to surface, many people aren’t using the benefits they’ve paid for or understand when it makes sense to utilize LTC. Let’s review some general guidelines that apply to most policies, and some facts that may surprise you.

There are typically two circumstances when you can consider starting LTC. The first is when you need help with at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). Those are the everyday basic activities of bathing, dressing, toileting or incontinence, transferring and eating. The second is when there is cognitive impairment. This could be due to conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. While physical assistance may not be the main concern here, help is needed with reminders and cues to just get through each day. Your LTC plan will have forms that you can provide to your doctor who will write an order confirming the need for assistance.

Using your LTC policy does not affect Medicare.

Here are some important facts. Your policy has benefit amounts, maximums and terms you need to know. There is typically an elimination period of 30, 60 or 90 days depending on the policy you chose. The elimination period on a longterm care policy works like a deductible: It’s the number of days you pay for care before the policy pays out. This

may, however, be waived for in-home care and reimbursement could start immediately. Call your provider if you have questions about these details.

While LTC can be applied towards assisted living, many people don’t know that it can also apply towards in-home care if provided by a licensed agency.

This can allow you to age in place in the comfort of your own home. It’s important to always stay current with your premiums. An added benefit is that once your policy is activated, you won’t pay premiums during the time you’re receiving care (the benefit).

When you consider in-home care, you need to make sure you are working with professionals who understand and can help you navigate the use of your LTC plan. At Home Helpers of Alpharetta, we handle all the ongoing paperwork and filings that are needed as you use your LTC policy. We can also join you in a call to your LTC provider to help determine what your policy provides.

Our skilled Caregivers have been trained to execute a comprehensive care plan that’s created for your unique needs. They can assist with all personal care, help around the house, provide transportation and specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. The companionship and assistance a carefully matched, heart centered Home Helpers caregiver provides can also help build and boost self-confidence.

We know that despite the passing years, each of our clients has a youthful spirit. Engaging that lets us share in the richness of their lives, both past and present. For a free in-home consultation and personalized plan contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta today at (678) 430-8511.

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34 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Emergency stroke care, back/neck pain relief are close to home Wellstar North Fulton Hospital welcomes two neurosurgeons When a stroke strikes, minutes matter. Roswell-area residents are fortunate Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, a Primary Stroke Center (PSC), is close by. Being a certified PSC means strict standards, set

by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, have been met. The PSC designation signifies excellence in stroke care, and better outcomes for stroke patients.

But North Fulton Hospital provides more than quality care for the specialized needs of stroke patients. General neurosurgery services, including complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery, are offered by two experienced neurosurgeons who recently joined the hospital’s Neurology team: Arthur Grigorian, M.D., and Basheer Shakir, M.D. Dr. Grigorian is a dual-trained neurosurgeon, performing traditional, open surgery, and less invasive endovascular neurosurgery, which involves threading a catheter through blood vessels to conduct procedures.

“For example, a brain aneurysm, a bulge

in a blood vessel, can sometimes be repaired by inserting a catheter in an artery, usually in the groin,” explained Dr. Grigorian.

“Through the catheter, a coil is placed into the aneurysm, causing the blood to clot, and the aneurysm to be destroyed.

“We’re planning to enhance our operating room capabilities to allow us to perform these specialized, hybrid procedures,” he said.

Dr. Shakir is a neurosurgeon with additional expertise in minimally invasive and complex spinal surgery. “I treat issues originating from the bottom of the skull to the tailbone,” said Dr. Shakir.

“Some of my patients with neck or back pain have already undergone surgeries that didn’t resolve their discomfort,” said Dr. Shakir. “Patients come to me with pinched nerves in their arms or legs, and sometimes they’re unstable on their feet. I use motion- and muscle-preservation technology to restore function and get them back to enjoying their lives.

“Minimally invasive surgery is kinder and gentler,” he said, “with faster recovery, less time in the operating room and less pain medication. There usually is a solution to resolve patients’ pain.”

For more information about Wellstar Medical Group Neurosurgery, contact 770-664-9600.

Stroke: Recognize Symptoms, Get Medical Help FAST Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds on average, and stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability. If you’re having a stroke, it’s critical that you get medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the longterm effects of a stroke and even prevent death. Thanks to recent advances, stroke treatments and survival rates have improved greatly over the last decade.

Use the letters in FAST to spot stroke signs and know when to call 911: • Face Drooping • Arm Weakness • Speech (slurred or hard to under-

stand)

Additional Symptoms Include Sudden: • Numbness • Confusion • Trouble Seeing • Trouble Walking • Severe Headache Source: American Stroke Association

Focused on your health and our community Our mission at North Fulton Smiles is to provide the highest quality care to the highest quality patient family. We appreciate that the needs and desires of each patient are different and so we provide every patient with an exceptional level of individualized attention and care.

From cosmetic to restorative services, the staff at North Fulton Smiles is trained on cutting edge techniques and technology to ensure that our patient family has access to the very best of everything.

North Fulton Smiles celebrated our 10 year anniversary last year and look forward to the next 10. We are so proud and grateful to be a part of and to service the Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton communities. While our focus on excellent care has contributed to our success, it is our exceptional and growing patient

family that has made North Fulton Smiles the area’s leader in quality dental care. We understand that relationships are truly the key to any success and so we promise to continue putting forth our very best effort to cultivate and nurture a culture of quality care and gratitude.

Thank you all again for this honor. We look forward to helping all of you to “Feel great about your teeth!”

For more information about North Fulton Smiles, please call us at 770.569.0613 or visit our website at northfultonsmiles.com.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 35

BETTER HEALTH HAPPENS HERE

COMPREHENSIVE CARE CONVENIENT TO YOU Family Medicine Cardiac Diagnostics Cardiology

Hand Surgery Imaging

Pediatrics Rheumatology

Lab Services

General Surgery

Urgent Care

OrthoSport Physical Therapy

Urology

OrthoSport Physical Therapy, Imaging and Cardiac Diagnostics are services of Wellstar North Fulton Hospital.

WELLSTAR AVALON HEALTH PARK 2450 Old Milton Parkway | Alpharetta, GA 30009 (470) 267-0260

wellstar.org/avalon

36 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Taking sports performance training to the next level Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has long been a trusted partner that families turn to when sick or injured kids and teens need care. With the opening of Children’s Sports Performance, a new sports training facility in Alpharetta, growing athletes can not only recover from injury but also work toward reaching their highest athletic potential under the Children’s umbrella.

Children’s Sports Performance opened to the public in December, offering comprehensive sports training for individual youth and high school athletes, sports teams, elite athletes and even adults. The 3,000-square-foot facility is situated above Children’s at Webb Bridge (3155 North Point Parkway), which offers pediatric sports medicine and radiology services.

Teaming up with Children’s in this new venture is EXOS, which describes itself as a human performance company. Trusted by the highest-performing athletes around the world, EXOS has trained Olympic athletes, MLS champions and top NFL draft picks. EXOS helps athletes at all levels improve functional movement, decrease the risk of injury, and build strength and power through targeted sports performance training.

At Children’s Sports Performance, training happens in small-group sessions that are customized according to the participants’ ages, sports, abilities and goals. Adults can train at the facility too, whether or not they have a child who is also working out there–Children’s Sports Performance memberships are open to the community. The approach to training is holistic, supported by research and guided by EXOS’ four pillars

of human performance: mindset, nutrition, movement and recovery.

Lu Fashina, performance manager and certified strength and conditioning specialist at the Alpharetta facility who has been affiliated with EXOS since 2014, attributes the program’s success to this evidence-based, comprehensive approach.

“I think the ‘special sauce’ in what we do is that we have a system and a meth-

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odology that’s been proven and tested,” Fashina says. “We’ve used it with a lot of elite athletes and we’ve been able to scale it down to bring it to different communities and populations, and that’s what we’re hoping to build here.”

The facility has state-of-the-art equipment, including turf space, free weights and other strength training equipment, machines that use pneumatic (air resistance) technology and give real-time feedback, and just about every recovery tool an athlete could need, according to Fashina. Whether it’s an 8-year-old who’s new to a sport, an 18-year-old on the precipice of a college career, an adult who’s an exercise novice, or a former pro athlete, Fashina says anyone can benefit from the training at Children’s Sports Performance.

“It’s for anybody who wants to improve their performance in any way, whether that’s reducing pain, improving any type of performance output, just learning more about their bodies and figuring how to move them. It’s really any goal we can tailor and customize our program for,” Fashina says.

Visit choa.org/childrenssportsperformance to learn more and sign up for a free training session and consultation.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 37

Carson Nolan, Meniscus Tear

She might stick the landing like an Olympian, but she’s still growing.

Growing bodies require special care, that’s why Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta specializes in treating teen athletes. Our team of doctors provides the coordinated care teens need throughout their recovery process to get them back out on the mat. It’s why where you take them matters. It’s why you take them to Children’s.

Visit choa.org/sportsmed to learn more.

Three Locations in Alpharetta and Cumming

©2020 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Inc. All rights reserved. Sports Medicine Physical Therapy is a department of Children’s at Scottish Rite hospital.

WHERE YOU TAKE HER KNEE INJURY MATTERS

38 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents “Leading Ladies” ROSWELL, Ga. — Georgia Ensemble Theatre, the professional North Fulton theatre company, will bring the farcical show “Leading Ladies,” by Ken Ludwig, to their stage Feb. 20 through March 8.

The show will be at their home in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 ForSolution rest St., Roswell.

A F R E S H

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A S T I R P S M A I L R M E S R O I L T O E S

B U R E A U S

A L U M B O A

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E T A A A V R C O N D I N E A T U R B S N F I D E E G E A R T H R R I C C H E I C K T D L E U E E T D A F S E

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COMMUNITY

The production will be directed by GET Associate Artistic Director James Donadio and is sponsored by Renasant Bank.

Ludwig is also the author of “A Comedy of Tenors” and “Moon Over Buffalo.”

In this production, two English Shakespearean actors find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.

When they hear that an old lady in York, Penn., is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, the actors find out that the relatives aren’t nephews, but nieces.

Ticket prices for “Leading Ladies” start at $29 and can be purchased at get.org or by calling the 770-641-1260.

Roswell High School celebrates students ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell High School recently earned two honors.

In December, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp

announced the 2019 School Awards.

Roswell High School was named a Silver School based on a three-year average of its College and Career Ready Performance Index progress score that ranks schools in at least the 93rd percentile. The awards are developed by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and approved by the State Board of Education.

In addition, the State Department of Education recently released its annual list of schools designated as “Beating the Odds.” A statistical analysis compares a school’s actual performance on the CCRPI with the performance of schools across the state with similar characteristics.

Schools performing higher than similar schools are labeled as “Beating the Odds,” a designation Roswell High School has earned. For 2019, 36 percent of schools in Fulton County were given this designation compared to 30 percent in 2018.

Both accolades come on the heels of Roswell High School’s recent announcement of several areas of improvement, including higher scores by students on the Georgia Milestones test, SAT and Advanced Placement exams; an increase in the CCRPI score and a higher graduation rate.

Teenage writers win full publishing contracts ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Teenage writers Anastasia Brown and Jessica Rich recently won BookLogix’s Young Writers Contest.

The contest encourages creative writing and literacy among young people by offering writers ages 10 to 18 the opportunity to have their book published.

The two winners selected each year will have their book published by Alpharettabased BookLogix, with a prize value of approximately $5,000 each.

Jessica Rich, 15, from Alpharetta is one of this year’s winners. Her science fiction novel titled “The Shift” is set in a world where the government, called the Society, takes orphans and genetically engineers them to become shapeshifting soldiers against their will.

The second winner, 13-year-old Anastasia Brown, is from New Castle, Penn. Her mystery novel, “Behind the Reflection,” follows a family with nine children who move into an old mansion in a new town.

The 2020 Young Writers Contest is now open. Details can be found at booklogix.com/young-writers-contest.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 39

SPORTS

40 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Bears: CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, March 5, 2020 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, March 23, 2020 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. a.

to do a little bit. And really, one thing everybody underestimates about this team is how much they love and fight for each other. In that first half we rotated over and created three charges, we’re rotating on the backside, and seeing kinds block out to allow their teammate to come in a get a rebound. They were so selfless tonight.”

CU-20-02/V-20-04/E-20-05 Village Park at Wills Phase 2 Consideration of a conditional use to allow ‘Assisted Living Facility/ Congregate Housing’ for Phase 2 of the Village Park at Wills Assisted Living Facility. A variance is requested to reduce the front building setback and an exception is requested to increase the building height. The property is located at 11940 Alpharetta Highway and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 600, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

b. MP-20-01/V-20-05 The Providence Group/Notting Hill Consideration of a master plan amendment and variance to allow 54 ‘For-Sale’ townhome units on 3.27 acres in the Downtown. The property is currently approved for 42 ‘For-Sale’ condominium units. A variance is requested to allow some front-loaded townhomes. The property is located at the southwest corner of Thompson Street and Park Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 749, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. c.

Continued from Page 14

The Gladiators continued to add to the margin in the third quarter and entered the fourth with a 37-27 lead.

However, the Bears began picking up momentum in the fourth behind freshman Jordynn Dudley. The guard had been kept quiet in the first half and limited to just two free throws, but in the fourth she led the Cambridge comeback.

Dudley scored four of the Bears’ opening seven points in the period, and a contested bucket from the Bears’ Angelina Cofrancesco cut John Creek’s lead

Z-20-02/V-20-06 Sedgwick Residence/Devore Road Consideration of a rezoning and variance to allow one (1) single-family detached home on 0.29 acres in the Downtown. A rezoning is requested from C-2 (General Commercial) to DT-MU (Downtown Mixed Use). Variances are requested to reduce the requirement for a street-facing garage to be recessed a minimum 20’ behind the front façade in the Downtown and the reduce the minimum 18’ driveway requirement. The property is located at 0 Devore Road on the south side of Devore Road and east of Alpharetta Highway and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 693, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the City Council on Monday, March 23, 2020 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. d. E-20-04 Burlington Sign Exception Consideration of a sign exception to allow a 2nd wall sign on the front elevation of a building and a wall sign on the North elevation of the building.

The applicant proposes to utilize unused wall sign area to allow for two (2) additional wall signs. The property is located at 7731 North Point Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 638 and 655, 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.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR FINANCIAL AUDITING SERVICES RFP # 20-116 The City of Alpharetta (City) is requesting proposals to establish a contract for the professional services of a qualified Certified Public Accountant (the “auditor”) for financial and compliance audits performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) as set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and performed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

The RFP will be available online Thursday, January 30, 2020 at our bid posting website, https://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/. Interested parties are required to log in to review the RFP documents.

This procurement is issued under the authority of the City’s Procurement Policy and applicable law. The City has the authority to reject all proposals or any proposal that is non-responsive or not responsible, and to waive technicalities and inconsequential discrepancies to award a contract that is in the best interest of the City.

Receipt of Proposals will close Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 10:00 AM. All responses must be received before closing at https://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub. com/, webpage for this project. Responses submitted by hard copy, mail, facsimile, or e-mail will not be accepted. Responses received after the closing time will not be considered.

For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.

SPORTS

to 41-36 midway through the quarter.

The teams exchanged scores, including a 3-pointer from the Bears’ Kennedy Daniels, to put the margin at 47-41 with 65 seconds remaining. After three called jump balls, a Johns Creek turnover and missed free throw from the Gladiators, the Bears had just 18 seconds remaining in their comeback bid.

A three that would have cut the margin to one possession was missed, however, and two made free throws from Tanguilig sealed the win.

Dudley led Cambridge with 14 points and nine rebounds with Confrancesco netting 10. Nylah Njeri scored 11 for the Gladiators.

In a tweet following the game, Cambridge head coach Lesley Broadwell said she was proud of her team for what they have accomplished this season, and especially the team mindset and character her squad has. She said the Bears were close against Johns Creek, but “could never quite get that run we needed.”

“An awesome opportunity awaits us in the state playoffs, and after a little rest we are back to work to make [Bears] country proud,” the tweet said.

Johns Creek and Cambridge entered the finals behind notable semifinals games on Friday night. The Gladiators dominated tournament No. 1 seed Alpharetta, 46-18, and Cambridge received a buzzer-beating layup from Dudley to advance the Bears to the finals over Pope.

Both teams will host in the first round of the state tournament, which takes place Feb. 14-15.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 41

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42 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Business Services Legal Notice Notice is hereby given that articles of incorporation that will incorporate ST Professional Management Inc has been delivered to the Secretary of State in accordance with Georgia Business Corporation Code.The initial registered office of the corporation is located at 401 S Main St, Unit 5, Alpharetta, GA 30009 and its initial registered agent at such address is HuiLing,Tang

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | February 13, 2020 | 43

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Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home.

Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license identification or credit card numbers.

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Alpharetta-Roswell Herald • Milton Herald • Johns Creek Herald • Forsyth Herald • NorthFulton.com

contact us at 770-442-3278

44 | February 13, 2020 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com